If you spent Sunday evening refreshing your phone for the Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid lineups, goals, and live updates, you already know this match delivered. The Madrid Derby never disappoints, but this one had comebacks, a red card, a long-range thunderbolt, and a title race that just got very interesting again. Whether you caught every minute or need a full breakdown, this is the complete guide.

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Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Lineups: The Confirmed Starting XIs

Before the first whistle, the lineup news was already causing debate. Trent Alexander-Arnold, reportedly dropped after arriving late to training, started on the bench despite being Madrid’s first-choice right back this season. That decision forced Dani Carvajal into the XI.

Real Madrid starting lineup (4-4-2):

• GK: Andriy Lunin
• DEF: Daniel Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Fran Garcia
• MID: Federico Valverde, Thiago Pitarch, Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler
• FWD: Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior

Key absences shaped Arbeloa’s hand significantly. Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao, Ferland Mendy, Raul Asencio, Dani Ceballos, and Rodrygo all sat out through injury. Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were named as substitutes.

Atletico Madrid starting lineup (4-4-2):

• GK: Juan Musso
• DEF: Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, David Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri
• MID: Giuliano Simeone, Johnny Cardoso, Koke, Ademola Lookman
• FWD: Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez

Atletico also dealt with absences, missing Jan Oblak, Pablo Barrios, Marc Pubill, and Rodrigo Mendoza. Musso’s strong season made Oblak’s absence less damaging than it might otherwise have been. Alexander Sorloth, Atletico’s top scorer in La Liga this term, started on the bench alongside Mbappe.

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Match Timeline: A Rollercoaster at the Bernabeu

The 174th La Liga edition of the Madrid Derby was played in front of 77,964 fans at the Santiago Bernabeu. Before kickoff, both sets of players joined together for a minute of silence in memory of Silvino Louro a gesture that set a respectful tone before 90-plus minutes of fierce competition.

Real Madrid pressed early, with Valverde striking the post in just the ninth minute. But it was Atletico who looked sharper in the opening half. Marcos Llorente and Giuliano Simeone both threatened Lunin, and the visitors’ goal came from a beautifully worked move. Lookman held up possession in front of Rudiger and the back-tracking Carvajal, waited for Ruggeri to overlap, and then backheeled Simeone’s cross into the advancing Lookman’s path. His composed finish made it 1-0 on 33 minutes.

Real Madrid came out transformed after the break. Vinicius won and converted a penalty on 52 minutes, then Valverde in the form of his life with six goals in five games struck the second just three minutes later to flip the scoreline. When Trent came off the bench and his delivery found Vinicius powering in a third, the Bernabeu breathed.

Then came Molina. The Argentine substitute arrived in the 66th minute and, with barely time to settle, unleashed a swerving 25-yard strike past Lunin to make it 3-2. The stadium held its breath. Valverde’s expulsion on 77 minutes for a reckless challenge on Alex Baena left Real chasing a finish with ten men. They held on. Final score: Real Madrid 3-2 Atletico Madrid.

For stats, player ratings, and a full shot map from Sunday’s match, La Liga’s official data hub is the place to go.

Player Ratings: Who Stood Out?

Vinicius Junior was the undisputed star, scoring twice and constantly dragging Atletico’s defence out of position. His penalty was nerveless, and his third goal arriving at the far post from Trent’s delivery showed exactly why he remains one of the best players on the planet right now.

Federico Valverde had another extraordinary performance before his red card clouded the ending. Six goals in five matches is a run that puts him among the most in-form midfielders in Europe. The sending-off was reckless and costly, but his impact on the result cannot be understated.

Ademola Lookman was lively throughout and took his goal cleanly. Nahuel Molina, on as a substitute, scored one of the goals of the season. Arda Guler was industrious without converting his chances, and Koke provided Atletico’s midfield backbone even as the game got away from his side.

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La Liga Standings After Matchday 29

The result keeps the title race alive just. Barcelona had won earlier in the day, temporarily opening a seven-point gap. Real’s win trimmed that back to four points. Atletico remain fourth on 57 points, still in a strong position for Champions League football.

• Barcelona: 1st
• Real Madrid: 2nd (66 pts)
• Atletico Madrid: 4th (57 pts)

Crucially, Matchday 30 pits Barcelona directly against Atletico, meaning Real Madrid will be watching that one with unusual interest.

For live standings and upcoming fixtures, check the official La Liga website.

Head-to-Head History

Real Madrid lead the all-time record against their city rivals with 124 wins from 242 meetings, against 60 for Atletico and 58 draws. But recent history had favoured Simeone’s side in league encounters they were unbeaten in their last six La Liga meetings before Sunday, including a stunning 5-2 win at the Metropolitano back in September 2025.

Sunday’s result breaks that run. Whether it signals a momentum shift heading into the final stretch of the campaign remains to be seen.

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FAQ: Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid Lineups