Atletico Madrid 1-0 Real Madrid: Carrasco penalty earns former champions huge win at home

Atletico Madrid defeated their local rivals Real Madrid 1-0 at the Wanda Metropolitano for the first time in the Madrid derby. Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco scored the only goal of the game from the penalty spot to earn the win for his side. 

This was Atletico’s first penalty goal against their rivals since March 2010. Carrasco had a remarkable game throughout, and was able to help his side earn three huge points in the race for the La Liga top four. 

Atletico Madrid defeat new La Liga champions Real Madrid 

Carlo Ancelotti rested some of his key players, and featured a much more rotated line-up than usual against the former champions. Karim Benzema, Vinicius Jr, Luka Modric and Thibaut Courtois were the notable absentees in the starting eleven. 

The penalty was the only bright spot from the first half, a mostly cagey affair. The decision to award the spot kick was made only after the referee consulted the monitor after VAR intervention. Aside from the soft penalty given away, Jesus Vallejo continued to perform well after his cameos against Espanyol and Manchester City. 

Fede Valverde was denied in the second half twice by Jan Oblak. Carrasco could have doubled his side’s lead as well, but struck the post. Griezmann, after being brought on at half time, had several chances too, but fired wide. 

Atletico Madrid eventually did enough to hold on to their one goal lead and win, and now have a six-point advantage in the race for the Champions League.