Brahim Díaz Stars as Real Madrid Edges Atletico in Champions League Clash

MADRID, Spain — Real Madrid secured a narrow 2-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League Round of 16 match on March 4, 2025, at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

After an electric start, Rodrygo opened the scoring in the fourth minute, finishing with a powerful left-footed shot from a Federico Valverde assist. Atletico’s Julián Álvarez equalized in the 32nd minute with a stunning strike that lifted the visitors’ spirits.

However, Brahim Díaz restored Madrid’s lead just minutes later in the 55th minute, weaving through the Atletico defense to find the far corner of the net. His decisive goal came at a time when Atletico appeared to be gaining momentum, much to the delight of the home fans.

“You can’t give a player like Brahim that much space inside the area,” said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. “It was a superb finish and a crucial moment in a tightly contested match.”

Following the opening goal, Atletico’s coach Diego Simeone made tactical changes, substituting Antoine Griezmann for defender Robin Le Normand in a move indicative of his team’s defensive adjustments. “It was a classic Madrid derby,” Simeone noted. “Real Madrid is always dangerous, and we were not able to handle the counterattacks effectively.”

Despite the loss, Atletico showed resilience as they pressed for an equalizer in the closing minutes, with opportunities from Griezmann and Álvaro Morata. The match saw a total of ten yellow cards and significant defensive efforts from both sides.

According to match statistics, Real Madrid controlled 53.2% possession and registered six shots on target, while Atletico Madrid had two shots on goal and maintained tight defensive formations throughout, showcasing their discipline.

As both teams look ahead to the second leg, the focus will be on Atletico’s ability to capitalize on their home advantage in front of a potentially raucous crowd at Metropolitano Stadium.

The second leg will take place on March 18, where Atletico will aim to overturn the deficit against their city rivals, while Real Madrid seeks to cement their quarterfinal position.