Alejandro Grimaldo’s second-half penalty gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 lead over Real Madrid after visiting defender Dean Huijsen had conceded a penalty and was sent off in La Liga on Sunday.
central defense Huijsen he was deemed to have held up Giuliano Simeone as the midfielder tried to cut in on goal inside the box, allowing Grimaldo to beat Thibaut Courtois in the 53rd minute on the player’s 31st birthday.
Alex Grimaldo makes no mistake from the spot! 👏
Atlético leads against Real Madrid 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/OgJosvYgdn
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
Six minutes later, Jonathan David powered home Simeone’s delivery to double Atletico’s lead and put their opponents on course to move past leaders Barcelona by six points at the international break.
Huijsen’s dismissal was part of a typically tense conflict between the league heavyweights, including the sight of Madrid striker Jude Bellingham hitting his hand on the turf in pain after a hard-hitting challenge on Cristian Romero during a jittery first half.
“It happens,” former Ireland centre-back Gary Breen told Premier Sports, defending Huijsen and Bellingham. “It’s a physical game of football.
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
“There is no foul in any case. There is no other intention on the part of the two players than to win the ball.”
Atleti vs Real Madrid: Why Bellingham smoked Romero
Bellingham were angered to receive an initial booking after coming on, with referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias later rescinding the England striker’s card but cautioning defender Romero.
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
Arias, who also had to deal with home manager Diego Simeone and his counterpart Jose Mourinho on the sidelines in characteristic animated fashion, consulted his monitor before showing Huijsen a straight red card.
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
Atleti will move second if they win, one point ahead of Madrid and Real Betis and five ahead of Barça, who have won each of their first seven league games of the season.
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
Where to watch Atlético vs Real Madrid: TV channel, live online broadcasts
Kick-off on Sunday was at 15:15 BST (10:15 ET / 07:15 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and streaming available on a wide range of devices via the Premier Sports app.
A Premier Sports subscription it costs £120 a year, £11.99 a month on a 12-month contract or £16.99 a month with 30 days’ notice to cancel.
Here is the full list of International broadcasters of the League.