In a thrilling encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid edged out city rivals Atlético Madrid 2-1 in their UEFA Champions League matchup on March 4, 2025. The victory marked a significant win for Los Blancos, who solidified their position in the competition.

First-Half Dominance

Real Madrid started strong, with their attacking trio of Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, and Rodrygo causing problems for the Atlético defense. The home side’s pressure paid off in the 25th minute when Vinicius Junior scored the opening goal, beating Jan Oblak with a low shot.

Atlético struggled to create clear-cut chances, but they managed to level the score just before halftime. A well-worked corner kick routine ended with Stefan Savic heading the ball past Thibaut Courtois, sending the teams into the break tied at 1-1.

Second-Half Comeback

The second half saw Real Madrid regain control, with their midfield trio of Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, and Luka Modric dictating the pace. The decisive moment came in the 65th minute when Rodrygo scored the winner, tapping in a cross from Dani Carvajal.

Atlético pushed for an equalizer, but Real Madrid’s defense held firm, with Courtois making several crucial saves to secure the three points.

Key Takeaways

  • Real Madrid’s attacking trio of Vinicius Junior, Karim Benzema, and Rodrygo proved too much for Atlético’s defense, with their pace and movement causing problems throughout the game.
  • The midfield battle was key, with Real Madrid’s trio of Tchouameni, Camavinga, and Modric outmuscling their Atlético counterparts.
  • Atlético’s struggles in front of goal continued, with the team failing to create clear-cut chances despite having several half-chances.

The win moves Real Madrid up to second in their Champions League group, while Atlético drops to third. Both teams will look to bounce back in their next league fixtures, with Real Madrid hosting Sevilla and Atlético traveling to Barcelona.

In the Champions League, Real Madrid will face Manchester City in their next matchup, while Atlético will take on Borussia Dortmund. With several crucial games on the horizon, both teams will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to achieve their European ambitions.