Real Madrid edge out Atletico 2-1 in first leg of Champions League last 16

Real Madrid won the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie with bitter rivals Atletico 2-1 thanks to a superb goal from Brahim Diaz, keeping its grip on the biggest stage of the competition.

Rodrygo and Real Madrid had a late lead in the fourth minute at the Bernabeu Stadium, but Julian Alvarez equalized with a stunning shot in the 32nd minute.

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

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 in midfield and right-back Fede Valverde after he was assessed as fit.

The Italian’s men delivered what the Italian had demanded of them: a better attitude and more commitment than they did following Saturday’s LaLiga defeat by Real Betis.

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.

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 paid him their second-most expensive acquisition 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.

Next week’s match will be between Atletico and Real Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium, with Arsenal taking on PSV Eindhoven 7-1 in the Netherlands in their quarterfinal first leg.