Amid major refereeing controversy: Atletico stun Real and deepen doubts over Mourinho

A tense match

Atlético Madrid edged the capital derby 2-1, seeing off Real Madrid in a contest that started level before tilting decisively their way. Dean Huijsen's sending off at the start of the second half reshaped everything. Diego Simeone's men pounced, claiming a precious win that leaves Real trailing league leaders Barcelona by 6 points.

Both sides knew the margin for error had shrunk to almost nothing, given Barcelona's perfect start to the campaign. That tension seeped into the opening minutes, cautious and cagey, with neither side threatening.

Atlético set up in a 3-4-2-1. Real Madrid countered with a 4-2-3-1, Arda Güler joining Bellingham, Vinícius and Kylian Mbappé in the front line.

Atlético saw more of the ball, yet possession bought them little real danger. Real leaned on transitions instead, probing for space to exploit.

Mbappé embodied the pattern. He drifted through the first half without influence, touching the ball just 23 times, coughing it up on 8 occasions and failing to muster a single shot at Jan Oblak's goal.