Atletico Madrid made it consecutive away wins against Real Madrid as missed first-half chances from Karim Benzema proved costly.
Los Blancos were unable to capitalise on long spells of dominance, in spite of the much-anticipated return of Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese forward has now scored in all of his last 12 League games at Santiago Bernabeu, but needed a chance from the penalty spot to extend his impressive record, despite looking incredibly sharp.
It was Tiago who rose highest at the near post to nod home a close-range header from Koke’s corner delivery, to give Atleti an unlikely lead with merely 10 minutes played.
Parity would be restored, however, before the half hour mark, as Guilherme Siqueira gave away a penalty for clumsily tripping Ronaldo, which the Portuguese duly converted – landing the left-back with a yellow card and a disciplinary tightrope on which to tread.
Two spurned chances in two minutes led to Karim Benzema receiving whistles and jeers from the home supporters, as the Frenchman failed to beat Miguel Angel Moya twice as a result of excellent service from a rejuvenated Ronaldo, leaving Real Madrid level at the break despite enjoying a lengthy ascendency. Those two minutes would prove to be expensive.
Arda Turan was introduced by Los Colchoneros early in a slow-burning second half, replacing captain Gabi, before serial debut scorer Chicharito was brought on for the luckless Benzema.
Chances became few and far between until the 73rd minute, as substitute Turan cut inside from the left and flashed an effort wide of the far post.
Three minutes later, however, the Turkey international wasn’t to be so wasteful, steering a right-footed effort beyond Iker Casillas and into the bottom corner following an intelligent dummy from Raul Garcia, leaving Atleti with narrowly over 10 minutes to hold out.
Sacrificing Mario Mandzukic for Mario Suarez, the away side were able to retain their shape and suffocate a panicking home side, whose star names couldn’t quite craft a late equaliser out of their collective stardust.
Diego Simeone may have watched on from a private box, but his team continued to show that they have absorbed their Argentine superior’s attitude and spirit, leaving Real Madrid to endure consecutive league defeats following their implosion at Anoeta before the international break.
Real Madrid 1-2 Atletico Madrid
Ronaldo pen 26 (RM), Tiago 10. Arda 76 (AM)
Real Madrid: Casillas; Arbeloa (Varane 77), Pepe, Ramos, Coentrao; Kroos, Modric, James; Bale (Isco 72), Benzema (Chicharito 63), Ronaldo
Atletico: Moya; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Garcia, Gabi (Arda 61), Tiago, Koke; Mandzukic (Suarez 78), Jimenez (Griezmann 64)
Referee: Maheu Lahoz
