Sunday, 27 November 2011

Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid



The Spanish capital is painted white after goals from Cristiano Ronaldo, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain earned Real Madrid a 4-1 victory over Atletico Madrid on Saturday at the Santiago Bernabeu in the Madrid Derby. 

After the visitors controlled the early stages of the contest, the home side managed to responded well to secure the three points, extending their lead at the top of the table to six for the time being, as Barcelona play later on. 

The rivalry got off to a cracking start just 15 minutes in when Adrian Lopez worked a quick combination on the right side before being sent into the box by Diego, where the young Spaniard punished Iker Casillas with a simply finish at the front post, bagging his fifth league goal of the season. 

As the home fans were silenced, it would only be temporary. With the visitors in control, it did not take long for the Spanish giants to respond. Six minutes later, Di Maria filtered a soft pass into the box, ultimately finding Karim Benzema, and the former Lyon man took a touch by Thibaut Courtois, who brought him down with his outstretched arms as a penalty kick was awarded in addition to the obligatory red card to the on-loan custodian. 

Sergio Asenjo came on to replace the starting goalkeeper as Diego was sacrificed. Ronaldo took the kick for Real Madrid, faking out the substitute goalkeeper and finishing inside the left post to bring things level. 

Di Maria put his side up three minutes into the second half after Ronaldo darted down the left side into the box to draw out Asenjo, sending in a low ball that found the quick Argentine alone in the middle of the area, and he finished well into the top of the net with the open goal. 

In complete control, the home side extended its advantage in the 65th minute after Higuain chased down a ball that Diego Godin failed to clear, pouncing on it in the box before making a move past the goalkeeper, finishing into the open net.

Then, a foul by Godin inside the box with just under 10 minutes to go resulted in another penalty kick that Ronaldo would not miss, finishing comfortably into the left side, as Godin was sent off. 

The home side had a few more chances as the game reached its end and was able to control the Atletico attack to ensure the points for Jose Mourinho's team.

With the victory, Real Madrid now has 34 points and remains in first place in the top flight, while Atletico Madrid sits midtable with 16.

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