Gareth Bale climbed off the bench to score his 100th goal for Real Madrid and help them to a derby day victory that puts them above their neighbours Atletico and into second place in La Liga.
Bale is now in the top 20 of all-time goalscorers for Madrid – his century coming in 217 games – he might even have scored a second heading over late on from Karim Benzema’s cross.
Atletico will complain about a second half VAR call going against them with luckless Alvaro Morata having lobbed the constantly jeered and whistled Thibaut Courtois, but the cold reality is they were well beaten by their still improving city rivals.
Bale’s goal came when he broke down the left and from Luka Modric’s perfect past scored past Jan Oblak from a tight angle.
The first half had already been a tale of two VAR decisions – one that benefitted Atletico, the other that favoured Real Madrid.
Before the controversy came the unmarked Casemiro to put Real Madrid into the lead.
Toni Kroos had to retake a corner on 16 minutes because the ball was outside the arc. From the retake his floated kick was aimed at Sergio Ramos. The Atletico defenders were drawn to Ramos like moths to a flame and they all got burned when his flick on fell to the unattended Casemiro who scissor-kicked it acrobatically past Oblak.
MATCH FACTS
Real Madrid almost fashioned a second with a brilliant lightning break. It was two superb passes with the outside of the boot and then a disappointing finish.
First Raphael Varane played the ball out of defence, then Vinicius, hurtling down the left, crossed for Lucas Vazquez but he blasted high and wide on the volley.
Simeone was at boiling point on the touchline and was warned by the referee for his complaining. Soon the Atletico coach was jumping in joy not rage.
Angel Correa went shoulder to shoulder with Vinicius and came out on top. He then played Griezmann through and he fired low past the advancing Courtois.
The linesman had followed the new orders by not raising his flag until the move had finished but he believed Griezmann had been offside. After a nervy wait VAR corrected him to a huge roar from the Metropoitano.
Referee Xavier Estrada was being hounded by players on both sides with every decision he made. Madrid were still unhappy with what they believed was a foul on Vinicius from Correa in the build-up to the equalizer. Soon there was another close call and this time VAR worked in Real Madrid’s favour.
Vinicius went down just inside the penalty area after a foul from Jose Gimenez. The first contact was outside the area but the crucial second impact from Gimenez' knee was inside the area. The referee had pointed to the spot and VAR upheld his decision.
Ramos refrained from any Panenka elaborations. There was a hesitant run-up but with Oblak stood still, uncommitted, Ramos fired the kick low to the keeper’s right to restore Real Madrid’s lead.
The second half started with Courtois happy to be at the other end of the pitch in front of Atletico's more docile fans. At the start of the first half he had been pelted with various stuffed white rats by home supporters.
What happened to him on 53 minutes will have hurt far more – he was lobbed by Morata for what looked like the Atletico equaliser.
The linesman’s flag was raised but it was such a close call that again Mr Estrada’s finger went to his ear as he waited for VAR’s verdict. The linesman had got it right and the goal was ruled out. It was a shame for Morata who had shown brilliant technique to scoop the ball over the advancing Courtois.
It was a warning for Real Madrid and it was no surprise that Bale came on, although it was more surprisingly that he replaced Vinicius.
The Brazilian strolled off the pitch eating up the seconds, shaking the referee’s hand and anyone else’s he could reach. In the space of four days he had conquered the Camp Nou and the Metropolitano.
Morata then went down in the area and the red and white shirts swamped the referee. He instead gave a foul against Morata and stuck to his decision after consulting VAR. Morata then showed his frustration getting booked for a foul on Ramos. And was taken off by Simeone.
The change did nothing for Atletico’s chances of a comeback. With their next attack Bale got the third and when Thomas stamped on Kroos’ ankle he was off and all hope was gone for ten-man Atletico.
Real Madrid are now one point clear of their rivals in La Liga and on Barcelona’s shoulder albeit still someway behind. On this form they will be confident of chipping away at that gap.
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