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| Cristiano Ronaldo empty handed after the game |
Santiago Bernabeu - Atletico Madrid dealt a double whammy against city rivals Real Madrid as Diego Costa scored the only goal in a highly physical match. Not only that Atletico Madrid owned the bragging rights in their city rivalry, it also hand Real Madrid its first loss of the season and cost them 3 points to remain at third spot with 16 points. Real Madrid is helpless in the game as it saw El Clasico rival Barcelona and latest tormentor Atletico Madrid breaking away from a close three way race for the top spot.
The lone goal came in the 11th minute. Arda Turan lobbed a pass to Koke whose header rebounded to Luis Felipe. Felipe then passed it back to Koke who saw Diego Costa on onside position. Koke then slides the ball to Diego Costa who managed to slip behind Alvaro Arbeloa's defense. Diego Costa then broke away and before he can be stopped by the onrushing Diego Lopes, Costa launch his shot that went into the net trouble free.
Nerves fly in a highly charged emotional game as Real Madrid was under pressure to score and salvage a draw. Several altercations erupted and yellow cards are issued in as tempers flare. The game saw yellow cards for Diego Costa in Atletico Madrid and for Sergio Ramos, Pepe and Alvaro Arbeloa for Real Madrid. The El Clasico with Barcelona is now seemed to be eclipsed in terms of physicality with the Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid derby.
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| Diego Lopes and Diego Costa in one of the heated moments of the game |
The game is not wanting of dramatic moments as both teams tried to salvage points. There is that breakaway by Diego Costa in the 60th minute from a David Villa pass but was timely saved by Diego Lopes. The rebound went to Gabi who pass it to David Villa on the left flank. Villa tried to relaunch their attack but was timely cut by Pepe with a sliding tackle.
In the 80th minute, Joao Miranda fired a cross to the center but Diego Lopes punch the ground ball. Diego Costa caught up with the ball and pass it to Koke on the right side. Koke then squared and launch his strike inside the penalty box only to see it hit the woodwork. Atletico Madrid could have scored it in both golden opportunities.
Before the end of the game, there are ominous signs Real Madrid would fall. It missed opportunities which in a normal day is routine. Substitute Alvaro Morata's layback found no one except Luis Felipe in the 76th minute. Had there been a teammate, it could have been an easy tap in. Then in the 84th minute, Pepe's cross found Alvaro Morata in the center who back flip the ball but Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtouis, displaying superior reflex block in the ball in what could have been a sure goal. Real Madrid was given its last chance in the 90th minute when Karim Benzema's shot was deflected and the rebound fell on Morata whose close range shot only manage to touch the outside of the goal.
With the win, Atletico Madrid is now tied with Barcelona with 21 points but Barcelona claim top spot because of superior goal difference. Real Madrid remained at third spot with 16 points, and its first loss of the season.
