Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: Magic Brahim Diaz wins the game for Los Blancos 2025

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid,Real Madrid secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 clash at Santiago Bernabeu. Despite struggling for large parts of the game, Carlo Ancelotti’s side found two moments of brilliance, courtesy of Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz, to claim a narrow lead ahead of the second leg.

Atletico Madrid made life difficult for Los Blancos, pressing aggressively and posing a serious attacking threat. Rodrygo opened the scoring early on, but Julian Alvarez equalized with a stunning strike. In the second half, Brahim Diaz stepped up with an excellent solo goal, proving to be the match-winner.

However, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr were uncharacteristically quiet, while the midfield battle saw Eduardo Camavinga struggle. The return leg at Metropolitano Stadium promises to be a thrilling encounter as Real Madrid look to finish the job.

Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid 1-2

First Half: A Blazing Start

The game started with Real Madrid taking an early lead through Rodrygo in the 4th minute. Federico Valverde delivered a pinpoint pass to the Brazilian, who cut inside and curled a stunning left-footed shot into the far corner.

Atletico Madrid responded aggressively and were rewarded in the 28th minute when Julian Alvarez capitalized on sloppy Madrid defending. He shrugged off Raul Asencio and fired a curling effort past Thibaut Courtois, making it 1-1.

Second Half: Brahim Diaz’s Brilliance

Madrid started the second half with more control but lacked clear-cut chances. That changed in the 55th minute when Brahim Diaz weaved through the Atletico defense and fired an unstoppable shot into the bottom corner, restoring Madrid’s lead.

Atletico continued pushing, with Antoine Griezmann testing Courtois, but Madrid held on for a narrow yet crucial victory.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Atletico Madrid

Goalkeeper & Defense

✅ Thibaut Courtois (6/10): Made a few good saves but could have done better for Alvarez’s goal. Still, his stop from Griezmann in the second half was crucial.

✅ Federico Valverde (8/10) – Man of the Match: A tireless performance at right-back. Assisted Rodrygo’s goal, made crucial defensive interventions, and led by example.

✅ Raul Asencio (6/10): Looked solid for the most part but got caught out of position in the build-up to Atletico’s equalizer.

✅ Antonio Rudiger (6/10): Strong in the air and tackled well but was dragged out of position a couple of times.

✅ Ferland Mendy (6/10): Assisted Brahim Diaz’s goal but struggled defensively in key moments.

Midfield

✅ Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10): Maintained possession well but was often bypassed by Atletico’s press. Played safer than needed.

❌ Eduardo Camavinga (4/10): One of his poorest games in a Madrid shirt. Sloppy in passing, poor defensively, and caught out for Atletico’s goal.

✅ Brahim Diaz (8/10): The match-winner! His skill, composure, and quick footwork led to a brilliant solo goal. Arguably his best performance in a Madrid shirt.

Attack

✅ Rodrygo (7/10): Fantastic goal to open the scoring. Looked sharp in the first half but faded later on.

❌ Kylian Mbappe (4/10): Completely anonymous. Dropped too deep, failed to link up effectively, and didn’t influence the game.

❌ Vinicius Jr (5.5/10): Showed glimpses of magic but lacked end product. Missed a golden opportunity in stoppage time.

Substitutes & Manager

🔄 Luka Modric (5/10): Came on late but had little impact as Atletico crowded the midfield.

🔄 Lucas Vazquez (N/A): Came on to provide fresh legs.

🔄 Endrick (N/A): Had one chance but scuffed his shot.

👔 Carlo Ancelotti (6/10): His decision to start Brahim Diaz paid off, but his team lacked control for large spells. He will need to make adjustments for the second leg.

Key Takeaways from Real Madrid’s Win Over Atletico Madrid

🔹 Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz were the difference-makers. Both players provided moments of individual brilliance to secure the win.

🔹 Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr struggled. Real Madrid’s attacking superstars failed to impose themselves, raising concerns ahead of the second leg.

🔹 Real Madrid lacked midfield control. Tchouameni and Camavinga were not at their best, allowing Atletico to dominate possession for long periods.

🔹 Federico Valverde was immense. His defensive work, attacking contribution, and overall presence made him Madrid’s best player on the night.

What’s Next for Real Madrid?

Real Madrid will now shift focus to La Liga, where they face a must-win game against Valencia this weekend. However, all eyes will be on the Champions League second leg at Metropolitano Stadium, where Atletico will be eager to overturn the deficit.

With Barcelona in strong form and the title race heating up, Carlo Ancelotti must ensure his team maintains momentum. Will Madrid finish the job in the second leg, or will Atletico pull off a comeback?

Conclusion

Real Madrid’s 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid was a mixed performance, with moments of brilliance from Rodrygo and Brahim Diaz sealing the win. Federico Valverde shone, but Mbappe and Vinicius struggled. With a tough second leg ahead, Los Blancos must improve to book their place in the Champions League quarter-finals.

🔥 Can Madrid finish the job in the second leg, or will Atletico mount a comeback? Drop your predictions in the comments!

Brahim Diaz goal from the stands 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/Cloh4XCGpV

— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) March 4, 2025

FAQs – Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

1. Who was the best player for Real Madrid against Atletico Madrid?

Federico Valverde was Madrid’s best player on the night. He assisted Rodrygo’s goal, made crucial tackles, and dominated defensively.

2. Why did Kylian Mbappe struggle in this match?

Mbappe dropped too deep and failed to influence the game in advanced areas. Atletico’s defense kept him quiet throughout the match.

3. How did Brahim Diaz impact the game?

Brahim Diaz scored the winning goal with a brilliant solo effort, proving to be Madrid’s most dangerous attacker.

4. What does this result mean for the second leg?

Madrid take a narrow lead into the return leg, but Atletico will feel confident playing at home. The tie is still wide open.

5. Can Real Madrid win the Champions League this season?

If Mbappe and Vinicius rediscover their form and the midfield stabilizes, Real Madrid can be strong contenders for the trophy.

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