Brahim Diaz winner offers Actual Madrid a slender first leg lead over rivals Atletico in Champions League final 16 conflict.
An excellent aim from Brahim Diaz helped Actual Madrid preserve its dominance of the Madrid derby on Europe’s greatest stage with a 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Atletico within the first leg of their Champions League final 16 tie.
Actual Madrid had taken an early lead within the fourth minute on the Bernabeu Stadium by way of Rodrygo, however Julian Alvarez levelled for Atletico with a shocking shot within the thirty second.
Nonetheless, though Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who misplaced within the 2014 and 2016 finals in opposition to their bitter rivals, stored stars Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe quiet, they nonetheless got here up brief.
The Rojiblancos performed it protected within the closing phases, seeming to simply accept their one-goal drawback for the second-leg derby conflict at house subsequent week.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for Morocco worldwide Diaz in midfield to exchange the suspended Jude Bellingham, and chosen Fede Valverde at proper again after he was handed match to play.
The Italian had demanded his aspect present a greater perspective and extra dedication than throughout their LaLiga defeat by Actual Betis on Saturday, and his prices delivered.
Rodrygo pounced after simply 4 minutes, slipping inside Javi Galan to gather Valverde’s teasing go earlier than firing house together with his left foot throughout Jan Oblak and contained in the far put up.
It was the Brazilian winger’s fifth strike of the match, habitually shining on the European stage for Madrid, the place he boasts 25 objectives in 61 appearances.
Rodrygo needed a penalty when Galan appeared to carry him again within the space however his appeals had been waved away.
His compatriot Vinicius got here near netting Madrid’s second as he surged into the field however Jose Gimenez blocked his shot nicely.
Atletico started to create hazard of their very own and Valverde hacked away Giuliano Simeone’s whipped ball from underneath his personal crossbar underneath stress from Samuel Lino.
Alvarez levelled with an excellent particular person aim, dancing away from Eduardo Camavinga on the left of the field and curling his shot previous Thibaut Courtois into the highest nook.
The previous Manchester Metropolis striker has been in elegant kind up to now few weeks, notching 10 objectives in 14 matches and proving why Atletico made him their second-most costly signing of all time final summer season.
Antoine Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul helped Atletico hold management for lengthy intervals, with Madrid discovering it exhausting to take the ball again from their rivals.
That made it all of the extra shocking when Diaz restored Los Blancos’s lead within the fifty fifth minute.
The midfielder left Gimenez on the ground with some fast footwork and carved out the area for a tidy low end earlier than leaping into the gang to have fun.
Griezmann fired extensive and Gimenez over as Atletico appeared for a response and Ancelotti introduced on 39-year-old midfielder Luka Modric seeking extra management.
The Croatian delivered simply that and neither aspect threatened within the closing half-hour of the match till stoppage time, when Madrid might need secured a 3rd.
Mbappe’s cut-back from the fitting was behind Vinicius who was ready for a tap-in, and Oblak saved from Modric within the aftermath.
Atletico host Actual Madrid subsequent week on the Metropolitano stadium, with the winner certainly going through Arsenal, who thrashed PSV Eindhoven 7-1 within the Netherlands of their quarterfinal first leg.
Elsewhere, Aston Villa received 3-1 at Membership Brugge, and Borussia Dortmund drew 1-1 at house to Lille.
