Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory over city rivals Atletico Madrid in a pulsating Champions League last-16 first leg clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. Brahim Diaz’s 69th-minute winner ignited celebrations in the Spanish capital, handing Los Blancos a slight advantage ahead of next week’s decisive return fixture.
Match Highlights
Rodrygo Goes opened the scoring for Real with a sharp finish after 20 minutes, but Julian Alvarez leveled for Atletico with a clinical strike early in the second half. Diaz, stepping up in the absence of star forwards, delivered a composed finish to restore Real’s lead. Despite late pressure, Diego Simeone’s side opted to consolidate rather than chase an equalizer, setting the stage for a tense second leg.
Tactical Battles and Next Steps
Atletico’s disciplined defense stifled Real’s usual attacking threats Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe, but Diaz’s moment of brilliance underscored Real’s depth. “We played a complete game,” Diaz told Movistar post-match. “But it’s not over—we must give everything again.” Simeone, whose side lost two finals to Real in 2014 and 2016, faces a familiar challenge: overturning a deficit in Madrid’s cauldron of European nights.
The return leg on February 13 promises high stakes, with history and pride on the line.
