Atlético Madrid secured a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid in the Madrid derby on Sunday afternoon at the Metropolitano Stadium, with a crowd of 70,514 spectators in attendance. The match marked José Mourinho’s return to facing Diego Simeone in El Derbi madrileño, a fixture charged with history and intensity.

Mourinho, now managing Real Madrid, expressed frustration with the officiating after the game, presenting a printed sheet in the press room highlighting two incidents from the first half involving Atlético players Cuti Romero and Kang-in Lee. Mourinho argued these tackles, which he believes warranted red cards, went unpunished, leaving Real Madrid effectively a man disadvantaged for much of the match. He also pointed to an early second-half penalty awarded to Atlético following a foul by Dean Huijsen on Giuliano Simeone, the son of Atlético coach Diego Simeone, which resulted in Huijsen’s dismissal. Mourinho maintained these decisions unfairly influenced the game, suggesting that the refereeing — including VAR judgments — failed to meet the pressures of a derby, albeit stopping short of accusing officials of bias or manipulation.

Despite Mourinho’s focus on refereeing, the game itself revealed Atlético’s dominance in possession and chances. The home side took twice as many shots and controlled roughly two-thirds of the ball, executing a tactical plan that targeted Real Madrid’s left flank. Atlético’s approach was measured yet effective, while Real Madrid struggled to establish rhythm or consistent attacking threat, registering their first shot on target only late in the first half. After being reduced to 10 men, Madrid’s ability to counter diminished further.

Atlético took the lead with the penalty conceded by Huijsen and extended their advantage through Giuliano Simeone, who was directly involved in both goals. Real Madrid pulled a goal back in the 89th minute, but Atlético maintained control until the final whistle.

This result leaves Real Madrid six points behind the league leaders, raising questions about the club’s current form and capacity to challenge amid ongoing rebuilding efforts. Mourinho acknowledged the deficit but expressed his commitment to fighting for the title, though his post-match comments suggested frustration with enduring challenges dating back years, including unresolved squad issues and perceived inconsistencies in officiating.

The match also carried a poignant family narrative as Giuliano Simeone, now 23 and a player for Atlético, faced the same fixture where 13 years earlier he was too young to attend but watched from home — this time making a decisive impact on the outcome. Mourinho described his rivalry with Diego Simeone as a “colleagues of war” dynamic, underscoring the enduring intensity between the two coaches.

While the game’s contentious refereeing incidents dominated Mourinho’s post-match discourse, Atlético’s tactical control and effective use of numerical advantage were significant in determining the outcome of one of Spain’s most storied derbies.