Champions League round of 16: Diaz’s winner earns Real Madrid advantage as it beats Atletico 2-1 in first leg
Real Madrid edged past city rivals Atletico Madrid with a hard-fought 2-1 victory in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League 2024-25 last-16 tie on Tuesday night.
Rodrygo Goes gave Los Blancos an early advantage before Julian Alvarez struck back for Atletico.
However, Brahim Diaz’s composed finish secured the win, ensuring the 15-time European champions head into the second leg with a slender lead at the Santiago Bernabeu.
“I think we played a complete game today, (my) goal was good and it earned us the win, but it’s not over,” Diaz told Movistar. “There’s still the second leg and we have to give everything, like we did today.”
Atletico, still haunted by Champions League final defeats to Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016, managed to contain both Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe but ultimately fell short.
As the clock ran down, Diego Simeone’s men appeared content to accept a narrow deficit ahead of the decisive second leg at the Metropolitano.
“For a moment we had the game under control, but we knew that it would not be an easy match because they were at home and they have great players,” Alvarez said.
“But we know there are 90 minutes to go… it’s one goal, and another game, at home with our fans.”
With Jude Bellingham suspended, Carlo Ancelotti turned to Morocco’s Brahim Diaz in midfield and opted for Fede Valverde at right-back after he passed a late fitness test.
The Italian coach had challenged his team to show more intensity and commitment following their disappointing La Liga defeat to Real Betis, and his players responded.
Madrid struck early, with Rodrygo making the most of Valverde’s incisive pass, slipping inside Javi Galan before drilling a precise left-footed shot past Jan Oblak into the far corner.
The Brazilian forward, who has built a reputation for delivering in big European nights, netted his fifth goal of the tournament, bringing his Champions League tally to 25 goals in 61 appearances.
Rodrygo felt he deserved a penalty when Galan appeared to tug him back in the box, but the referee dismissed his protests. Moments later, Vinicius Junior came close to doubling Madrid’s lead, only for Jose Gimenez to make a crucial block.
Atletico fights back
Atletico gradually grew into the contest, creating moments of danger. Valverde was forced into a crucial clearance from Giuliano Simeone’s cross, denying Samuel Lino a clear chance.
Alvarez then produced a moment of brilliance to level the score, dancing past Eduardo Camavinga before bending a stunning effort past Thibaut Courtois into the top corner.
The Argentine striker, who joined Atletico last summer as the club’s second-most-expensive signing, has been in electric form, scoring 10 goals in his last 14 matches.
Griezmann and Rodrigo De Paul helped Atletico maintain control for stretches, frustrating Madrid in their attempts to win back possession.
But just when the visitors seemed to have the upper hand, Diaz struck to restore Real’s lead in the 55th minute.
The midfielder skillfully maneuvered past Gimenez, creating space for a precise low finish before celebrating with the home crowd.
Final moments
Atletico pushed for an equalizer, with Griezmann firing wide and Gimenez missing a header.
Ancelotti responded by bringing on 39-year-old Luka Modric, hoping to add composure to Madrid’s midfield.
The Croatian did just that, helping Madrid see out the game with minimal late drama.
In stoppage time, Mbappe’s low cross narrowly eluded Vinicius, denying Madrid a third goal, while Oblak reacted quickly to deny Modric’s effort.
The tie remains finely poised ahead of next week’s return leg at the Metropolitano, where the winner will face either Arsenal or PSV Eindhoven in the quarterfinals.
“We’re alive (in the tie) and we have to correct the mistakes we made and go for it in the second leg,” said Atletico’s Marcos Llorente.
