Vinicius Jr scored twice as Real Madrid fought back to beat visitors Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a breathless Spanish capital derby on Sunday, keeping Alvaro Arbeloa’s side within four points of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Billed as a relatively low-key Madrid derby, with Atletico sitting a distant fourth in the table, the match instead delivered a five-goal spectacle between the rivals.
It had everything stunning goals from both sides and a straight red card to Real captain Federico Valverde that reduced the hosts to 10 men in the dying minutes.
“We showed mental toughness and strength worthy of this club’s badge,” Arbeloa told reporters, proud of his team’s effort with 10 men. “It made things hard for us and we had to suffer a lot.”
Atletico’s Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, finishing a slick counter-attack involving Matteo Ruggeri and a delightful backheel from Giuliano Simeone.
Vinicius equalised from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after David Hancko clumsily tripped Brahim Diaz, and Valverde capitalised on a Jose Maria Gimenez error three minutes later to make it 2-1 to Real.
Nahuel Molina silenced Real’s Bernabeu stadium with a thunderous 30-metre strike in the 66th minute, but Vinicius restored Real’s lead with a cracking solo effort six minutes later.
Valverde then saw red for an inexplicable challenge on Alex Baena, and Julian Alvarez struck the post as Atletico pressed, but Real held firm.
“Real Madrid always come out on top,” Vinicius told Real Madrid TV. “I’m very pleased with the performance we put in today. We were in control from the start; we conceded a goal, but we kept our cool and did what we had to do so our fans could go home happy with another win.”
Arbeloa has praised Vinicius since his first day at the helm and brought the best out of the forward after a barren spell under Xabi Alonso.
“Another great game from Vinicius, another demonstration of bravery and character,” said Arbeloa. “A great goal to give us victory in a tricky moment, I’m so lucky to have him, for his commitment and his talent.”
Atletico’s disappointing league campaign contrasts starkly with their Copa del Rey form, where they will face Real Sociedad in next month’s final after knocking Barcelona out in the semis. They also face Barca in the Champions League quarter-finals in a fortnight, after the international break.
They gave Real a proper fight, pressing until the final whistle of a hugely entertaining contest.Elsewhere on Sunday, Deportivo Alaves produced a sensational comeback from three goals down to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 and move 16th.
Athletic Bilbao, ninth, defeated fifth-place Real Betis 2-1 to stay in the fight for European football.
