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Atletico ride derby storm to beat 10-man Real Madrid 2-1
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, Atlético Madrid defeated 10-man Real Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano stadium. Alejandro Grimaldo and Jonathan David scored after Dean Huijsen's 52nd-minute red card left the visitors with ten players.
Real Madrid manager José Mourinho admitted his side struggles to control matches, citing defensive issues as a persistent concern ahead of the derby. He characterized La Liga as a "marathon" while trailing Barcelona.
In the 52nd minute, Huijsen was dismissed for pulling down Atlético forward Giuliano Simeone, conceding a penalty. Grimaldo converted the spot kick; David doubled the lead in the 59th minute before Antonio Rüdiger's late header proved insufficient.
Victory lifts Atlético into second place with 16 points, moving one point ahead of Real Madrid in La Liga standings. Barcelona maintains a five-point advantage over Simeone's side at the top of the table.
Despite their rivalry, Mourinho and Simeone maintain deep mutual respect, describing themselves as "comrades in war." Both coaches remain focused on the long season ahead, with Mourinho emphasizing his team's need for continued improvement.