Atlético Madrid 2-1 Real Madrid: Second-half surge decides derby at Metropolitano

Atlético Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano, a scoreline that flattered the visitors once the second-half numbers are examined. Atlético's expected goals jumped from 0.19 in the opening 45 minutes to 2.20 after the interval, a 2.01 increase that powered them to a 2.38-0.32 xG advantage for the match.

Diego Simeone deployed a 3-4-2-1 that shifted into a five-man back line when Real had the ball, while Carlo Ancelotti's 4-2-3-1 relied on Jude Bellingham's interchanges between the lines. The first half produced just 0.32 combined xG. Real edged possession 55-45 in the opening period but managed only one shot on target from six attempts; Atlético registered four shots, none on target, and 13 touches in the opposition box to Real's eight. Duels favoured the visitors 33-12, yet neither side carved a clear opening.

The pattern flipped completely after the break. Atlético's possession rose to 66%, their passes in the opposition half doubled to 206 against 71, and they fired 14 shots to Real's two. Nine of those were on target. Three big chances arrived in the second half alone, matching the first-half total of zero.

The breakthrough came in the 53rd minute when Giuliano Simeone was held by Huijsen inside the area. "Huijsen sujeta a Giuliano y está bien sancionada con penalti y roja", Marca reported of the decision. Alejandro Grimaldo converted the spot-kick (xG 0.79) for his first goal of the night.

Six minutes later Jonathan David doubled the lead. The Canadian striker collected a low cross from Giuliano Simeone on the left and finished first-time with his left foot (xG 0.52). David's movement between Real's centre-backs had been a persistent threat; his 0.59 xG for the match came almost entirely in the second half.

Real's only response arrived in the 89th minute when Antonio Rüdiger rose above the defence to head home Bernardo Silva's corner (xG 0.07). It was Real's first shot on target since the 12th minute and their sole set-piece goal from an xG of 0.11.

Grimaldo's penalty composure and David's clinical finish headlined a home performance that also saw Marcos Llorente and Dávid Hancko contribute heavily to the 36 box touches. Hancko carried an xG of 0.27 from left wing-back, while Llorente's engine in the double pivot allowed Atlético to sustain pressure. For Real, Bellingham drifted wide right but managed only 0.0 xG and was frequently crowded out by Atlético's compact midfield trio.

Ancelotti's changes — introducing Brahim Díaz and Endrick — failed to alter the territorial dominance. Simeone's fresh legs, including Samuel Lino and Ángel Correa, maintained the high press that yielded 19 fouls to Real's six and forced the visitors into 86% pass accuracy against Atlético's 90%.

The final whistle confirmed a derby win built on second-half intensity. Atlético's 2.38 xG sits alongside the 2-1 scoreline rather than rewriting it; the chances were there, the finishing was sufficient, and the three points stay in Madrid's red-and-white half.

FotMob.