Jonathan David’s finish and Alejandro Grimaldo’s penalty saw Atletico Madrid second in La Liga as 10-man Real Madrid suffered their second defeat of Jose Mourinho’s second spell in charge when they lost at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Grimaldo calmly beat Thibaut Courtois from the spot on the full-back’s 31st birthday, striking afterwards Dean Huijsen he was sent off to give Diego Simeone’s side a 53rd-minute lead as part of a typically tense contest with several points of influence between the home manager and his counterpart Mourinho.
Jonathan David doubles Atletico Madrid’s lead! 🇨🇦
Diego Simeone is celebrating with his players in the corner 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/5DHjVsR2Xg
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
David found ample space inside the box six minutes later to slot in and cross Giuliano Simeone’s cross for the second, celebrating with his manager and team-mates as Atleti went on to move a point clear. Madrid and five from leader Barcelona.
Antonio Rudiger He gave Madrid hope with an expert header in the 89th minute from Bernardo Silva’s free-kick, but Atleti held on and condemned the Whites to a second defeat in three away games.
Alex Grimaldo makes no mistake from the spot! 👏
Atlético leads against Real Madrid 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/OgJosvYgdn
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
Atleti vs Real Madrid: red card to Huijsen “has changed the game”
Despite the fiery nature of the encounter, neither team had a meaningful attempt until the 40th minute of a game that saw Huijsen sent off.
The centre-back was deemed to have taken out Simeone when the midfielder was clear inside the box in a challenge which former Madrid winger Steve McManaman described as a “moment of madness”.
A disastrous moment for Real Madrid! 😬
Dean Huijsen is sent off and Atlético de Madrid are awarded a penalty in a minute that changes the game in the Madrid Derby 🟥 pic.twitter.com/2mYHT9rulZ
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
“He just got caught with a 50-yard ball behind him,” McManaman said (via ESPN), who also praised Simeone’s decision to send Koke on at half-time to set up Vinicius Junior. “One goal changes the whole game.”
Was Cristian Romero lucky to escape a red card for his challenge on Jude Bellingham? 👀
The Real Madrid star seemed to think so and saw his own yellow card overturned after a VAR review ❌ pic.twitter.com/Xm1vA9b4wp
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
Madrid Athletic Team vs Real Madrid
Athletes starting XI: Oblak, Pubill, Romero, Hancko, Giuliano, Llorente, Johnny, Grimaldo, Kang-In Lee, Baena, David
Substitutes: Musso, Le Normand, Domínguez, Martínez, Obed Vargas, Mendoza, Coke, Hjulmand, Castillo, Lookman, Arnau Ortiz, Alvarez
Madrid team vs Atleti
Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois, Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella, Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Mbappe
Substitutes: Lunin, Brahim Diaz, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Camavinga, Diomande, Espi, Carreras, Endrick, Bernardo Silva, Pitarch, Rudiger