Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid 2-1: UEFA Champions League – as it happened

Real hold onto a 2-1 lead at the Bernabeu to set up an intriguing return leg at the Metropolitano Stadium next week.

Our coverage of the Champions League round of 16 continues tomorrow with Barcelona taking on Benfica. Our live page of that game will be launched at 17:00 GMT, so make sure to tune in.

We hope you enjoyed today’s match, and until the next time, this is Rohan Sharma signing off.

Real Madrid come away with a narrow advantage 📈#UCL pic.twitter.com/40vEpR8iNm

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 4, 2025

Wednesday’s last 16 games are as follows:

• Feyenoord vs Inter
• Bayern Munich vs Leverkusen
• Benfica vs Barcelona
• PSG vs Liverpool

Al Jazeera’s featured game will be Benfica vs Barcelona – you can read our preview of that match here.

Atletico Madrid’s Marcos Llorente insisted that his side remain “alive” in the tie.

“We have to correct the mistakes we made and go for it in the second leg,” he said.

Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, who scored the equaliser, spoke with Movistar as well.

“For a moment, we had the game under control,” he said.

“But we knew that it would not be an easy match, because they were at home and they have great players.

“But we know there are 90 minutes to go. It’s one goal, and another game, at home with our fans.”

Real Madrid’s Brahim Diaz, who scored the winner, spoke with Movistar.

“I think we played a complete game today. [My] goal was good and it earned us the win, but it’s not over,” he said.

“There’s still the second leg and we have to give everything, like we did today.”

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti spoke with the host broadcaster after the match: “It was difficult today. Imagine next Wednesday [when they play against Atletico away].

“We don’t like playing against Atletico. It’s very difficult. It will be a lot harder next week.”

A superb goal from Brahim Diaz helped Real Madrid maintain its dominance of the Madrid derby on Europe’s biggest stage with a 2-1 victory over bitter rivals Atletico in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

Read our full match report here.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atlético Madrid

Real Madrid edged an entertaining derby match against Atlético Madrid to take a one-goal advantage into the second leg at the Metropolitano Stadium next week.

Analyse the stats from the match, here: https://t.co/j6TTcaXnOK pic.twitter.com/XlJAXgG8cB

— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) March 4, 2025

👉🛡️ pic.twitter.com/nvah43WFsA

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 4, 2025

With the first set of matches of this round of 16 coming to a close, here are the updated results:

• Club Brugge 1-3 Aston Villa
• Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid
• PSV 1-7 Arsenal
• Dortmund 1-1 LOSC

Despite a nerve-racking last few minutes, Atletico manage to prevent going down two goals with some key challenges at the right moments.

Real enjoyed the better of shots (13 to six) and possession, but they just couldn’t quite put away their city rivals in this first leg at the Bernabeu.

Atletico will fancy their chances for the return leg next week at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Full-time: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid

🗣️ SCREAM IT! 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/54hgQiP82s

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) March 4, 2025

Vinicius finds himself on a break with just open space in front. He rushes on the left side, trying to make a beeline towards goal, but Gimenez is right on his heels.

As he shoots with his left, Gimenez puts in a tidy sliding challenge to deflect the ball away for a left-sided corner. The subsequent corner is taken, but nothing comes of it and the referee soon calls time.

90+4 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid

What are they doing? Atletico give the ball away on the right flank, not far from their box. Mbappe is released with a through pass as he races into the box.

Vinicius ensures he is offside as he awaits the pass in the centre. Mbappe passes towards him, but it ends up well behind the Brazilian, with his marker getting the ball away.

Real really should have done better there, and may come to rue that chance in the second leg.

90+1 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid

Just a few minutes more now.

90+1 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid

The Bernabeu get a late look at Endrick, who is brought on for the goal-scorer Diaz.

89 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid

They will hope to get away with a 2-1 result here before heading to Atletico’s lair.

Atletico may not mind that scoreline either, but can the visitors conjure something special here?

86 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid

Valverde, who has been superb as right back, is taken off to rousing applause from the Real fans.

His replacement, Lucas Vazquez, rushes on.

83 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid

With just more than 10 minutes to go, both sets of fans still believe there could be more goals in store.

Atletico have enjoyed a decent spell of possession in the last few minutes.

80 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid

De Paul and Barrios head to the dugout, while Alexander Sorloth and Angel Correa are brought on.

Looks like Simeone hasn’t quite thrown the towel in yet with those substitutions.

76 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid

This time, the Real captain sends it into the box. He picks out Asencio but his header is woefully off the mark.

The intensity levels have dropped considerably from the visitors. One wonders if Simeone is content with a 2-1 result going back home.

74 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid