Alejandro Grimaldo’s second-half penalty gave Atletico Madrid a 1-0 lead over Real Madrid after visiting defender Dean Huijsen conceded a penalty and was sent off in La Liga on Sunday.
Centre-back Huijsen was adjudged to have held back Giuliano Simeone as the midfielder attempted to burst through on goal inside the box, allowing Grimaldo to slot past Thibaut Courtois in the 53rd minute on the wideman’s 31st birthday.
Alex Grimaldo makes no mistake from the spot! 👏
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
Atleti lead against Real Madrid 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/OgJosvYgdn
Six minutes later, Jonathan David prodded in Simeone’s delivery to double Atleti’s lead and put their opponents on course to trail leaders Barcelona by six points during the international break.
Huijsen’s dismissal was part of a typically tense contest between the Liga heavyweights, including the sight of Madrid forward Jude Bellingham slapping his hand on the turf in pain after a bruising challenge with Cristian Romero during a tetchy first half.
“It happens,” former Ireland centre-back Gary Breen told Premier Sports, defending Huijsen and Bellingham. “It’s a physical game of football.
A disastrous moment for Real Madrid! 😬
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
Dean Huijsen is sent off and Atletico Madrid are awarded a penalty in a game-changing minute in the Madrid Derby 🟥 pic.twitter.com/2mYHT9rulZ
“There’s no foul either way there. There’s no other intention there from the two players other than to win the ball.”
Atleti vs Real Madrid: Why Bellingham fumed at Romero
Bellingham was incensed at initially being booked after sliding in, with referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias then rescinding the England forward’s card but cautioning defender Romero.
Was Cristian Romero lucky to escape a red card for his challenge on Jude Bellingham? 👀
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
The Real Madrid star seemed to think so, and saw his own yellow card rescinded after a VAR review ❌ pic.twitter.com/Xm1vA9b4wp
Arias, who also had to deal with home coach Diego Simeone and counterpart Jose Mourinho being in characteristically animated form on the sidelines, consulted his monitor before showing Huijsen a straight red card.
Jonathan David doubles Atletico Madrid's lead! 🇨🇦
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
Diego Simeone is celebrating with his players in the corner 🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/5DHjVsR2Xg
Atleti will move second should they win, a point above Madrid and Real Betis and five behind Barca, who have won each of their first seven league games of the season.
Was Cristian Romero lucky to escape a red card for his challenge on Jude Bellingham? 👀
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) September 20, 2026
The Real Madrid star seemed to think so, and saw his own yellow card rescinded after a VAR review ❌ pic.twitter.com/Xm1vA9b4wp
Atletico Madrid team vs Real Madrid
Atleti starting XI: Oblak, Pubill, Romero, Hancko, Giuliano, Llorente, Johnny, Grimaldo, Kang-In Lee, Baena, David
Substitutes: Musso, Le Normand, Dominguez, Martinez, Obed Vargas, Mendoza, Koke, Hjulmand, Castillo, Lookman, Arnau Ortiz, Alvarez
Madrid team vs Atleti
Real Madrid starting XI: Courtois, Dumfries, Konate, Huijsen, Cucurella, Valverde, Tchouameni, Guler, Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Mbappe
Substitutes: Lunin, Brahim Diaz, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Camavinga, Diomande, Espi, Carreras, Endrick, Bernardo Silva, Pitarch, Rudiger
Where to watch Atleti vs Real Madrid: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Sunday was at 15:15 BST (10:15 ET / 07:15 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Premier Sports 1 and streaming available on a vast range of devices via the Premier Sports app.
A Premier Sports subscription costs £120 a year, £11.99 per month on a 12-month contract or £16.99 per month with 30 days’ cancellation notice required.
Here’s the full list of La Liga international broadcasters.
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