Real Madrid stepped into the derby unbeaten in 2025/26, riding the brilliance of Kylian Mbappé and the aura of a star-filled squad. Atlético Madrid didn’t blink. Backed by their fans at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Diego Simeone’s men went straight for Madrid’s soft spot: defending aerial balls. That plan turned into a ruthless 5-2 win, handing Los Blancos their first La Liga loss of the season and showing that, no matter the hype, derbies still live by their own rules.
Simeone exposes the weakness
Atlético started fast, pressing high, forcing mistakes, and controlling the field. Real tried to slow the game with possession, but the home side kept looking for the air game. Le Normand struck first from a set piece, and every cross into the box made Madrid’s defense wobble. Mbappé hit back with a solo effort, and quick goals from Vini Jr. and Arda Güler hinted that pure talent might be enough. But Simeone’s side didn’t flinch. Deep into stoppage time, Sorloth powered in a header to level it.
The difference came down to conviction. Xabi Alonso’s team looked more and more exposed as the aerial pressure continued, while Atlético stuck to the plan. Early in the second half, Nico González won a penalty that Julián Álvarez buried, and from there the momentum shifted completely. Real threw on more firepower but lacked answers. Courtois kept the score from getting worse with big saves, yet the defense never solved the problem.
A win stamped with Atleti’s identity
Álvarez added a free-kick stunner and Griezmann closed the night, sealing a derby that carried Simeone’s trademark: compact, relentless, and ruthless in the key moments. For Real, the defeat was more than just numbers on the table. Mbappé, Vini, and Güler showed flashes, but the collective flaws in defense were laid bare, and in high-level games that weakness can turn fatal.
The victory pushed Atlético up to fifth on 12 points, while Madrid stayed top with 18 but could be passed by Barcelona when the round ends. One loss won’t define the season, but the manner of it sounded a warning. For all the star power, Xabi Alonso’s squad still has gaps that savvy rivals know exactly how to exploit.