Diaz earns Real Madrid Lead On Atletico In Champions League Derby Clash

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With a close 2-1 Champions League last 16 first-leg victory on Tuesday, Real Madrid slipped to within a small margin of city rivals Atletico Madrid.

Rodrygo Goes’ opener gave Atletico the lead, but Julian Alvarez equalized for Atletico with a brahim Diaz strike, making it 15 consecutive victories for the record-holder Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe were kept quiet by Diego Simeone’s Atletico, who lost in the 2014 and 2016 finals to bitter rivals.

READ ALSO: PSV Eindhoven wins Champions League Last-16 First Leg 7-1.

In the final stages of the second leg derby game at home next week, the Rojiblancos appeared to accept their one-goal disadvantage.

In place of the suspended Jude Bellingham, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti chose Morocco international Diaz to play midfield and left-back Fede Valverde.

On March 4, 2025, Real Madrid’s Moroccan forward #21 Brahim Diaz (R) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Real Madrid’s French forward #9 Kylian Mbappe in a first-leg football game between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid. (Photo by Thomas COEX/AFP)

The Italian’s side showed more commitment and attitude than they did against Real Betis on Saturday, and the Italian’s men delivered.

After four minutes, Rodrygo pounced by sliding inside Javi Galan to retrieve Valverde’s teasing pass before slinging his left foot past Jan Oblak and into the far post.

The Brazilian winger, who has 25 goals in 61 appearances for Madrid, has consistently excelled on the European stage with his fifth strike of the tournament.

When Galan appeared to hold Rodrygo back in the area, he was denied a penalty, but Rodrygo’s appeals were ignored.

When his fellow-traitor Vinicius surged into the box to score Madrid’s second goal, Jose Gimenez skillfully blocked his shot.

When Samuel Lino put pressure on Atletico, Valverde whipped away Giuliano Simeone’s whipped ball from under his own crossbar.

Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid’s Argentine forward #19 Julian Alvarez (C) celebrates after scoring their first goal in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League playoff game at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on March 4, 2025. (Photo by Thomas COEX/AFP)

Alvarez hit a brilliant solo goal into the top corner after dancing away from Eduardo Camavinga in the left corner and curling his shot past Thibaut Courtois.

The former Manchester City striker has scored 10 goals in 14 games this season, which demonstrates why Atletico made him their second-most expensive signing of all-time last summer.

Atletico remained in control for an extended period of time, with Madrid having to struggle to turn the ball back to their rivals.

When Diaz restored Los Blancos’ lead in the 55th minute, it was even more surprising.

Before bursting into the crowd to celebrate, the midfielder quickly left Gimenez on the ground and made room for a tidy low finish.

As Atletico searched for a response and manager Ancelotti introduced 39-year-old midfielder Luka Modric in search of more control, Griezmann fired wide and Gimenez over.

In the final 30 minutes of the match, when Madrid might have won a third, the Croatian delivered exactly that.

Vinicius was waiting for a tap-in when Mbappe’s cut-back from the right was performed, and Oblak saved from Modric in the process.