Actual Madrid down Atletico in derby

Vinicius Junior struck twice as Actual Madrid shaded Atletico Madrid 3-2 in an exciting derby conflict on Sunday to remain on leaders Barcelona’s tail on the prime of La Liga.

After the Catalan giants edged Rayo Vallecano 1-0 earlier, Madrid ensured the hole to the champions stayed at 4 factors by beating Diego Simeone’s aspect on the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ademola Lookman put Atletico forward within the first half however Vinicius and Federico Valverde’s strikes gave the hosts the lead quickly after the interval.

Nahuel Molina equalised for Atletico, fourth, with a spectacular effort from distance however Vinicius netted once more to assert the three factors for Los Blancos.

Valverde was despatched off for hacking Alex Baena within the ultimate levels however his aspect held on to win in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first derby conflict with Atletico since taking up in January.

“We confirmed psychological toughness and power worthy of this membership’s badge,” Arbeloa instructed reporters, happy with his crew’s effort with 10 males.

“It made issues exhausting for us and we needed to undergo rather a lot.”

After ousting Manchester Metropolis within the Champions League final 16 on Tuesday, victory towards Atletico accomplished a profitable week for Arbeloa and his crew.

“We’re evolving and dealing exhausting in order that in video games like these Madrid followers will be completely happy, that the followers can get pleasure from themselves and that Madrid at all times win,” Vinicius instructed Actual Madrid TV.

“Everybody deserves credit score, the coach, the gamers, the followers, all of the work we have achieved this week. We had been certain of our gameplan from the beginning and that made all of the distinction.”

Vinicius’s double introduced him to 10 objectives in his final 11 matches throughout all competitions.

“I am very completely happy as a result of I’ve labored all season for video games like this,” added Vinicius. “When this second of the season arrives, I do not know why, I at all times enhance.”

Arbeloa has praised Vinicius since his first day on the helm and introduced one of the best out of the ahead after a barren spell below Xabi Alonso.

“One other nice recreation from Vinicius, one other demonstration of bravery and character,” mentioned Arbeloa.

“A fantastic aim to present us victory in a tough second, I am so fortunate to have him, for his dedication and his expertise.”

Arbeloa despatched on Jude Bellingham as an alternative to his first look since February 1 after a hamstring damage, together with French celebrity Kylian Mbappe, who returned midweek from a knee sprain.

Neither had a lot of an affect as Madrid had been compelled to defend after Valverde’s foul on Baena purchased him a pink card.

Madrid protested it was not extreme sufficient of an offence to benefit a dismissal, however to no avail. In 2023 Baena, then at Villarreal, accused Valverde of punching him after a recreation.

Atletico are some extent behind third-place Villarreal after they beat Actual Sociedad on Friday.

Barca scrape win

Araujo nodded residence from a nook after 24 minutes to safe Barca the three factors at Camp Nou however goalkeeper Joan Garcia’s excellent show performed simply as massive an element of their victory.

“We knew how vital it was to get this win earlier than the worldwide break, we did it, but it surely’s true we suffered greater than we’d have favored,” Garcia instructed DAZN.

Hansi Flick’s aspect had been caught snoozing within the opening levels however Garcia made a effective save to disclaim Carlos Martin from shut vary.

Lately referred to as up by Luis de la Fuente to the Spanish nationwide crew for the primary time, Garcia made a number of glorious saves to maintain Rayo at bay, with the Madrid aspect dominant within the second half.

On the different finish, Raphinha was responsible of profligate ending on quite a few events, however the champions took the lead via Araujo’s header halfway via the primary half.

Araujo has not featured a lot since taking a psychological well being break late final yr, however got here on in its place in Barca’s 7-2 Champions League rout of Newcastle in midweek.

“I really feel excellent, bodily nicely, it is vital that I may also help the crew,” mentioned Araujo.

Garcia denied Alvaro Garcia after which produced a spectacular save to push away Unai Lopez’s header.

Pacha Espino ought to have pulled the guests stage however, after beating Barca’s excessive defensive position and staying onside, curled over the bar.

Elsewhere Alaves produced a sensational comeback from three objectives right down to beat Celta Vigo 4-3 and transfer sixteenth.

Athletic Bilbao, ninth, defeated fifth-place Actual Betis 2-1 to remain within the battle for European soccer subsequent season.