Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid: La Liga Derby 2025/26
The highly anticipated Madrid derby took center stage on Saturday, September 27, 2025, as Real Madrid visited Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano for Round 7 of the La Liga season 2025/26. Real Madrid arrived at the top of the table with 18 points, while Atlético sat in ninth with 9 points, setting the scene for a clash that would set the tone for the coming weeks in Spain’s top flight.
First Half: A High-Tempo Start and a 2-2 Tie
The match sprang to life early, with a flurry of chances and the occasional physical battle that characterizes any Madrid derby. In the 6th minute, Brazilian defender Éder Militao picked up a heavy knock while blocking a promising Atlético attack. He would later return to the field and continue, showing the resilience of both teams in a competitive Derby atmosphere.
At 13 minutes, Thibaut Courtois was forced into a sharp save, denying a dangerous header from Atlético’s Alexandre Sørloth and preserving the balance of play as the first half unfolded. Then, in the 14th minute, Atlético Madrid broke the deadlock. A long ball into the box deflected off Real Madrid’s defense and fell for Lo Normand, who headed the ball home to give Atlético a 1-0 lead.
Real Madrid responded quickly. In the 25th minute, Kylian Mbappé found the back of the net with an excellent finish after a precise forward pass from Arda Güler, pulling the score level at 1-1. The match swung again in favor of Real Madrid when Arda Güler himself drove forward and delivered a superb cross that allowed Mbappé’s teammate to strike, and the resulting move culminated in Güler scoring the second for Real Madrid in the 37th minute, putting the visitors ahead at 2-1.
Atlético Madrid did not bow out quietly. In first-half stoppage time, at 45+3 minutes, Alexander Sørloth found the net with a header from a long ball played by Koke after a throw-in, leveling the score at 2-2 just before halftime. The half ended with both sides entering the locker room knowing the second half would likely decide the derby’s momentum.
Second Half: Tactical Battles and Key Moments
As the teams returned for the second half, the tactical setup remained largely unchanged, with Real Madrid continuing to press high and Atlético trying to exploit quick transitional moments. The starting XI for Real Madrid featured Thibaut Courtois in goal, a backline including Dani Carvajal and Éder Militao, with Din Huisen and Álvaro Carrera likely slots in the full-back/wing area, a midfield trident of Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Jude Bellingham, and a dynamic attack led by Arda Güler behind Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior. This setup aimed to balance solidity at the back with pace and invention in midfield and the forward line.
Injuries continued to play a role for both sides. Carvajal picked up a knock around the 40th minute, but he bravely soldiered on, contributing to the wider team’s efforts. Militao’s early knock had subsided, allowing him to complete the half with the hosts showing resilience and intent. Through the opening minutes of the second half, both teams pushed for a deciding goal, with Real Madrid seeking to reclaim the lead and Atlético chasing another moment of finesse to tilt the balance in their favor.
Watching and What’s Next
The match was broadcast on BEIN Sports HD 1 with Arabic commentary, providing a live lens into a derby loaded with talent and high stakes. The result left Real Madrid on 18 points atop La Liga, continuing their pursuit of dominance, while Atlético Madrid clung to momentum with a valuable point that could spark a late surge in the table. After a brutal opening to the season for Atlético, this derby could serve as a turning point, especially with several fixtures ahead that demand consistency from Diego Simeone’s side.
Key Moments Recap
– 14’: Lo Normand scores for Atlético from a headed finish after a deflection.
– 25’: Mbappé equalizes for Real Madrid, finish assisted by Arda Güler.
– 37’: Arda Güler completes the move for Real Madrid’s second, finishing a cross from Mbappé.
– 45+3’: Sørloth heads in from a Koke long ball to equalize for Atlético before halftime.
– 6’ and 40’: Militao and Carvajal endure early/late knocks but remain on the field.
Looking ahead, both sides will analyze the season’s tape from this thrilling derby as they prepare for their next fixtures in La Liga and European competition. Fans can expect another chapter in what promises to be a memorable campaign for Madrid’s two giants.
