Atletico vs. Real: Score, Grades, Reaction from Madrid Derby Game
First went the winning streak. Now Real Madrid find themselves on the verge of an early Copa del Rey exit.
Raul Garcia and Jose Gimenez scored in the second half as Atletico Madrid defeated rivals Real Madrid 2-0 on Wednesday in the first leg of their Copa del Rey round-of-16 clash amid an intense atmosphere at the Estadio Vicente Calderon.
With the victory, Atletico moved within 90 minutes of the quarter-finals, where they would face either Barcelona or Elche. For Real, who dominated possession throughout the first leg, it's a second straight defeat following what had been an impressive 22-match winning streak.
After a scoreless first half, Garcia put Atletico ahead with a well-taken penalty in the 58th minute. The hosts then doubled their advantage via Gimenez's header 14 minutes from time. Cristiano Ronaldo, who started the match on the bench, was unable to turn around the result for Real after entering as a second-half substitute.
The second leg is scheduled for next Thursday at Real's Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. The Blancos will need a 2-0 victory just to force extra time, or a three-goal victory to advance.
As recently as last week, everything had been going so well for Real. Carlo Ancelotti's side entered Spain's winter break atop the Liga table, having won their last 22 competitive matches. Real still top the table, but after losing 2-1 at Valencia on Sunday, their lead is only one point over Barcelona and Atletico, albeit with a match in hand.
Atletico, meanwhile, are third in the table on goal difference, just one point behind Real. Despite losing several key players in the transfer market over the summer, Diego Simeone's side find themselves in a decent position to retain the league title they claimed last season—as well as challenge for Copa glory.
Real nearly got off to a perfect start as Sergio Ramos directed a powerful header on target from a James Rodriguez corner in the first minute. Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak pushed the ball away to keep the score level.
Fernando Torres, making the first start of his second spell with Atletico, lifted a shot off target in the fifth minute—but the striker had already been ruled offside regardless.
Real's Gareth Bale put the ball in the back of the net in the 13th minute, flicking in a header from a free-kick, but the Welshman was correctly ruled offside. Atletico countered swiftly, with Antoine Griezmann forcing Real goalkeeper Keylor Navas into a near-post save moments later at the other end.
Griezmann created another moment of danger for Atletico in the 21st minute, winning possession from Raphael Varane before racing toward the box. Varane recovered in time, however, making a well-timed tackle to dispossess his France team-mate.
"Can we ignore the fact it was Varane's initial mistake, and consider that the tackle of the season?
— Michael Cox (@Zonal_Marking) January 7, 2015"
Clear chances were scarce for both sides for the rest of the first half. In the 34th minute, Garcia had a shot blocked after Saul Niguez's cross fell to him in the box. Five minutes later, Real's Karim Benzema shot straight at Oblak from outside the box.
With the match still scoreless at half-time, Real created the first good opening of the second half. In the 52nd minute, Marcelo played a fine ball over the top for Bale on the right side of the box. With his first touch, Bale rolled a shot-cross wide of the far post.
Atletico won a penalty in the 56th minute after Ramos pulled down Garcia in the box. Referee Carlos Clos Gomez did not hesitate in pointing to the spot, and after a short delay, Garcia placed his spot-kick past the diving Navas for a 1-0 Atletico lead in the 58th minute.
Ramos contested the decision bitterly, and some onlookers in the football media seemed to see the incident differently:
Real responded by introducing Ronaldo for Rodriguez in the 63rd minute. The Portuguese superstar had a free-kick opportunity 11 minutes later, but his effort from the left flank bounced through the box and well wide of the goal.
Atletico doubled their lead only two minutes later. Gabi set up the strike, curling in a corner from the right for Gimenez, who beat Navas with a towering header to make it 2-0.
Frustration quickly set in for Real. In the 80th minute, Alvaro Arbeloa was fortunate not to be disciplined for a high challenge on Gabi. Arbeloa soon left the match in favour of a substitute, and after 90 intense minutes, Atletico had a morale-boosting victory over their heated rivals.
Grades
| Jan Oblak | 7.6 |
| Jesus Gamez | 7.4 |
| Jose Gimenez | 7.8 |
| Diego Godin | 7.2 |
| Lucas Hernandez | 7.2 |
| Raul Garcia | 8.5 |
| Mario Suarez | 6.5 |
| Gabi | 7.6 |
| Saul Niguez | 6.3 |
| Fernando Torres | 6.4 |
| Antoine Griezmann | 6.3 |
| Koke (for Torres, 59') | 6.2 |
| Arda Turan (for Niguez, 68') | 6.2 |
| Mario Mandzukic (for Griezmann, 75') | 6.1 |
| Keylor Navas | 5.8 |
| Alvaro Arbeloa | 6.2 |
| Raphael Varane | 6.5 |
| Sergio Ramos | 6.8 |
| Marcelo | 7.5 |
| Sami Khedira | 6.6 |
| Toni Kroos | 6.9 |
| Isco | 6.8 |
| Gareth Bale | 6.4 |
| Karim Benzema | 6.1 |
| James Rodriguez | 6.6 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo (for Rodriguez, 63') | 5.7 |
| Jese (for Benzema, 75') | 6.1 |
| Dani Carvajal (for Arbeloa, 83') | 6.2 |
Reaction
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