Vinicius strikes twice as 10-man Real Madrid edge Atletico 3-2 in pulsating derby

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Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 22, 2026 Real Madrid's Thiago Pitarch in action with Atletico Madrid's Giuliano Simeone REUTERS/Ana Beltran
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 22, 2026 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates with teammates after the match REUTERS/Ana Beltran
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 22, 2026 Real Madrid's Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen celebrates after the match REUTERS/Ana Beltran
Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - March 22, 2026 Atletico Madrid's Ademola Lookman celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates REUTERS/Jon Nazca

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MADRID, March 22 : Vinicius Jr scored twice as Real Madrid fought back to beat Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a breathless Spanish capital derby on Sunday, keeping Alvaro Arbeloa's side within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Atletico's Ademola Lookman opened the scoring in the 33rd minute, finishing a slick counter-attack involving Matteo Ruggeri and a delightful backheel from Giuliano Simeone.

Vinicius equalised from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after David Hancko clumsily tripped Brahim Diaz, and Federico Valverde capitalised on a Jose Maria Gimenez error three minutes later to make it 2-1 to Real.

Nahuel Molina silenced Real's Bernabeu stadium with a thunderous 30-metre strike in the 66th minute, but Vinicius restored Real's lead with a cracking solo effort six minutes later.

Valverde then saw red for an inexplicable challenge on Alex Baena, and Julian Alvarez struck the post as Atletico pressed, but Real held firm.

Source: Reuters

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