Atlêtico Madrid used Diego Costa’s early goal and a tremendous defensive effort to earn their second straight victory over Real Madrid and their first El Derbi madrileño victory in league play since 1999.
Real Madrid vs. Atlético Madrid: Final score 0-1, Diego Costa’s first half goal enough for visitors
Diego Costa’s goal in the 11th minute was all Atlético Madrid needed to claim their second straight victory over their local rivals Real Madrid in El Derbi madrileño.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno
Real Madrid started strong but sputtered quickly, unable to link up their build-up play to the attack. It wasn't really hurting them, however, until the 11th minute when they were punished after a bad giveaway in the midfield by Angel Di Maria. Koke took the ball of Di Maria's foot, moved it to quickly to David Villa who hit Diego Costa with a pass in stride as he broke behind the defensive line. From there, it was a simple finish for the Brazilian as he beat Diego López low to his left to put Atleti in front 1-0.
Madrid came ever so close in the 27th minute when Di Maria found Karim Benzema at the far post with a well-placed floating cross. Atlético defender Juanfran was able to get just enough pressure on Benzema to force the striker's header off target, going just wide of the post.
Two minutes later Atléti wasted a wonderful chance to double their lead on a corner kick, but captain Tiago Mendes somehow managed to miss a wide-open header after he was left open in space in the middle of the Madrid box.
López kept Atlético off the scoreboard again in the 41st minute making double save, first stopping Diego Godin’s downward header from six yards out and then smothering the rebound just as Diego Costa’s sliding attempt reached the ball. López was none to happy with Costa’s challenge and stomped on the Atlético striker, causing an immediate reaction from the Brazilian. Both players went nose-to-nose for 30 seconds with no sign of the referee anywhere.
Carlo Ancelotti was clearly unimpressed with his side's performance in the first half and made a double switch at halftime taking Di Maria and Asier Illarramendi off, replacing them with Gareth Bale and Luka Modrić.
Diego Costa’s fury with the match referee didn’t relax during the break. After being called for a foul early in he second half, Costa got into a verbal fight with the official and talked himself into a yellow card. If not for the intervention of nearly ever Atlético player on the pitch, he might have ended up seeing red.
López once again denied Diego Costa in the 61st minute, this time on a breakaway chance during a lightning quick counter attack by Atléti. Despite having all the time in the world, Costa somehow managed to only place his shot right at the goalkeeper. It appeared that the striker got the ball caught up in his feet a bit and was unable to make solid contact.
Real Madrid couldn't make their chances pay either, failing to get to the ball in the 70th minute after Thibaut Courtois saved Cristiano Ronaldo's shot from distance before spilling the ball back into space in the middle of the area. Atléti's defense, ever aware and seemingly always in the right place, cleared the ball out of danger after a few nervy seconds.
In the 81st minute Atlético once again somehow managed not to double their lead. López denied a chance cutting off a cross in from Miranda, but Koke picked up the rebound. The midfielder brought the ball down and created some space with a great turn inside before hammering the ball off the crossbar.
Madrid came back again in the 84th minute when Sami Khedira lifted a lovel cross to Álvaro Morata who went up with a scissor kick volley effort that was blocked away by Courtois. It was a highlight reel attempt by the young striker, but the Atléti goalkeeper was more than up to the task.
Atlético’s first real defensive mistake in the 90th minute nearly cost them the result. A miscommunication at the top of the box allowed Madrid to move the ball right to Morata. Courtois was again massive, however, somehow racing towards the post and blocking Morata’s angle and denying him yet again.
Real Madrid: López, Arbeloa, Ramos, Pepe, Coentrao, IIllarramendi (Modrić 45’), Khedira, Isco (Morata 72’), Di María (Bale 45’), Ronaldo, Benzema.
Goals: None
Atletico Madrid: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe Luis, Gabi, Tiago, Turan (Rodriguez 89’), Diego Costa (Leo 86’), David Villa (García 87’).
Goals: Diego Costa (11’)
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