The winner of Brahim Diaz gives Real Madrid a thin first leg lead from rival Atletico in the Champions League in the final 16 clashes.
Brahim Diaz’s impressive goal led Real Madrid to maintain control of the Madrid Derby on Europe’s biggest stage, defeating bitter rival Atletico 2-1 in the first leg of the final 16 Thai Champions League.
Real Madrid took an early lead in the fourth minute through Rodrigo at the Bernabéu Stadium, but Julian Alvarez levelled for Atletico with a stunning shot at 32nd.
However, Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who lost to his bitter rivals in the 2014 and 2016 finals, quieted down stars Vinicius Jr. and Killian Mbappe, but they were still short.
Rojiblancos play safely in the final stages and appear to accept the one-goal detriment against a second leg derby collision at home next week.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti chose Morocco International Diaz in the middle, replacing Jude Bellingham, who was paused, and after being suitable to play, Fede Valverde.
The Italian demanded that he show good attitude and more commitment to his team than during Real Betis’ defeat on Saturday, and his charges were delivered.
Rodrigo attacked just four minutes later, slipping Habigaran into gathering Valverde’s teasing pass before firing his left foot across Jan Oblak in a distant post.
It was the fifth strike of the Brazilian winger tournament, and it was customarily shining on the European stage in Madrid. He has 25 goals in 61 appearances.
Rodrigo wanted a penalty when Garan appeared to have hindered him into the area, but when his appeal was shaken off.
His compatriot Vinicius approached Madrid’s second net as he surged into the box, but Jose Guimenes blocked his shot well.
Atletico began to create their own dangers, and Valverde hacked Giuliano Simeone’s whipball from under his own crossbar under pressure from Samuel Reno.
Alvarez danced away from Eduardo Camavivanga on the left side of the box, then danced over Thibaut Courtrois towards the top corner, leveling off with great individual goals.
The former Manchester City striker has taken his noble form in the past few weeks, scoring 10 goals in 14 games, proving why Atletico made his second most expensive signature last summer.
Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo de Paul helped Atletico stay in control for a long time, and Madrid found it difficult to get the ball back from their rivals.
It became even more surprising when Diaz recovered the Los Blancos’ lead in the 55th minute.
The midfielder left Gimenez on the floor with some quick footwork, cutting open the space for a tidy, low finish before diving into the crowd.
As Atletico searched for a response and brought 39-year-old midfielder Luca Modric in search of more control, Griezmann fired wide and put Gimenez up.
The Croats delivered just that, and neither side threatened them in the final 30 minutes of the match until the suspension time that Madrid might have secured a third.
Mbappe’s cutback from the right is behind Vinicius, who was waiting for a tap-in, and Oblak is later saved from Modric.
Atletico hosts Real Madrid at Metropolitano Stadium next week, and the winner certainly faces Arsenal, hitting PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Netherlands in the first semester.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa scored 3-1 at Club Bruges, while Borussia Dortmund drew 1-1 at Lille’s home.
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