It was a fantastic start for the home side who signalled their intention with some brave play and with just 4 minutes on the clock before the Atletico fans were on their seats celebrating the first goal, ‘El Tigre’ Falcao. A free kick from Gabi was only half cleared by Lopez and Godin put the ball back in to the danger area and the Columbian was there at the back post to turn it home. 1-0 and a dream start.

The lead didn’t last long before the visitors struck back. A free kick whipped in from the right hand side by Nacho was played in to a dangerous area and the unfortunate Juanfran turned the ball past a helpless Courtois. 1-1 with only 12 minutes played.

The game settled after the early exchanges but the pace and intensity was high, the tackles were flying in from both sides and in the space of 7 minutes the referee had his cards out on three occasions, twice to Real Madrid players Khedira & Pepe, whilst Koke picked up a yellow to add to the earlier booking of Filipe Luis.

It was the rojiblancos who continued to look for the second goal and Falcao came close to getting his second, a cross from the left by Gabi was headed wide by the Columbian striker. Moments later Diego Godin also came close with a header from a Koke freekick. Courtois was called upon to make a good save just before the break after Di Maria played in Benzima, but the Belgian keeper was quick off his line to deny the Frenchman. The score was all level at the break on the banks of the Manzanarez.

As the teams came out in the second half it was again Atleti who looked the more dangerous side and with just seconds gone, Diego Costa played a ball across the face of the goal and Falcao was inches away from turning it home. Ten minutes later Falcao was involved again, linking up with Gabi who played a lovely one two with the Columbian, but the Atletico captain was unable to test Diego Lopez. The chances continued to come for the home side and it was Raul Garcia who next tried his luck this time from distance but his shot was well held.

Atletico were well on top in the game, but it was the visitors who struck on the break, Benzema picked up the ball in the Atleti half and played a pass through to Angel Di Maria, the Argentine finished well across the keeper with his left foot to make it 2-1 to Real Madrid after 62 minutes.

In the final half hour Atleti continued to push and search for the equaliser and came close but could not beat Diego Lopez and it was the visitors who took the 3 points. The focus will quickly shift to the next league game coming up in el Riazor next weekend against Deportivo after the trip to Baku in midweek.