Atleti edges Real to claim Madrid derby
Antoine Griezmann scored a goal early in the second half to give Atletico Madrid a 1-0 win over Real Madrid at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday, keeping Atletico's title hopes alive and virtually ending the rival's chances in the Spanish league.
The French forward scored with a left-footer in the 53rd minute after a cross by Brazilian left back Filipe Luis, helping visiting Atletico pull within five points of leader Barcelona, which hosts Sevilla on Sunday. Real Madrid could drop 12 points behind Barcelona if the Catalan club wins Sunday.
It was Real Madrid's first defeat at home since a humiliating 4-0 loss to Barcelona in November. The team had won seven straight at Bernabeu.
Fans loudly jeered Real Madrid president Florentino Perez, calling for his resignation.
It's the third season in a row that Atletico beat Real Madrid at Bernabeu in the Spanish league.
Griezmann got the winner in a breakaway that started near midfield. He carried the ball to the top of the area, fed Luis on the left flank and the Brazilian passed it right back for Griezmann's shot from near the penalty spot.
Atletico had not scored a goal in its last two games. It hasn't conceded in four straight matches.
Real Madrid started pressuring and controlled the early parts of the game but Atletico improved and didn't allow the hosts to create many chances.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who had scored seven goals in his last three games at the Bernabeu, came close to equalizing with a header in the 68th but the ball went straight into the hands of Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Ronaldo's best opportunity with the game tied came just three minutes into the second half when he entered the area free from markers but sent his low show just wide of the far post. He had another chance from a free kick in the 32nd but his swerving shot was saved by Oblak. One of Atletico's best chances in the first half had been a long-range shot by Griezmann, forcing goalkeeper Keylor Navas to make a difficult save in the 40th.
Madrid wanted a red card for Atletico defender Diego Godin pulling Karim Benzema's jersey when the French striker headed toward the goal in the 31st but the referee only showed Godin a yellow card. Madrid also sought a penalty on Danilo in the 75th.
The game match marked the encounter of the league's best offence and the top defence. Madrid entered the match with 71 goals scored, four better than second-place Barcelona, while Diego Simeone's Atletico came in having conceded only 11 goals in 25 matches, seven goals less than fourth-place Villarreal.
Both teams were coming off disappointing draws, with Real Madrid drawing at Malaga after a missed penalty kick by Ronaldo and Atletico being held to a scoreless draw by Villarreal at Vicente Calderon Stadium last Sunday.
The first Madrid derby this season ended in a 1-1 draw at Atletico's Vicente Calderon Stadium.
Real Madrid had the return of Benzema, who missed the game at Malaga because of a back problem. He was substituted at halftime. Coach Zinedine Zidane could not count on Brazilian left back Marcelo because of a muscle problem.