Real Madrid vs Atletico LIVE!

Real Madrid lead their high-profile Champions League last-16 tie against rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 after an entertaining first-leg battle at the Santiago Bernabeu. Brahim Diaz’s brilliant second-half goal decided Tuesday night’s highly-anticipated derby encounter in the Spanish capital after Julian Alvarez’s stunning strike had cancelled out an earlier cracker from Rodrygo, leaving proceedings finely balanced ahead of next week’s deciding match at the Metropolitano Stadium.

Real Madrid crucially should have added further to their lead in second-half stoppage time, but Kylian Mbappe could not quite tee up fellow attacker Vinicius Jr, who was then denied by a superb block from Jose Maria Gimenez. Atletico saw their own attempts at further goals largely thwarted by stand-in Los Blancos captain Federico Valverde, who returned from injury to slot in at right-back and wear the captain’s armband.

The winners of the second leg next Wednesday evening will almost certainly now go on to face Arsenal in the quarter-finals after the Gunners demolished PSV Eindhoven 7-1 away in the Netherlands in the one-sided first leg of their last-16 clash.

Real Madrid vs Atletico highlights

• GOAL! Brahim Diaz restores Real Madrid's lead

• GOAL! Alvarez hits back brilliantly to level tie

• GOAL! Rodrygo strikes after just four minutes

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:56 , George Flood

Full-time

All over at the Bernabeu, where Brahim Diaz’s fine goal has settled this Champions League last-16 first-leg Madrid derby after first-half belters exchanged by Rodrygo and Julian Alvarez.

The tie is finely poised heading to the Metropolitano Stadium for next week’s decider.

Real worthy winners based on the second half, but they will have wanted to be further ahead no doubt and should have added to their lead in stoppage time.

Atleti looked content to take a narrow deficit back home in the end despite being the better team up until Brahim’s goal.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:52

93 mins: Another great chance for Los Blancos in stoppage time - that’s a vital block from Gimenez on Vinicius Jr.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:50

90 mins: Into three minutes of added time at the Bernabeu.

It really, really should be 3-1 to Real Madrid as Mbappe gets through but his cut back for Vinicius Jr is just behind the Brazilian.

Modric then shoots straight at Oblak.

Mbappe will hope that doesn’t prove costly overall in the tie.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:48 , George Flood

88 mins: A great reception for Brahim Diaz as his number goes up.

His fine goal may well have settled this first-leg tie.

Endrick comes on and is immediately into a wrestling match with Alvarez.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:44 , George Flood

84 mins: Nothing at all about Atletico now, despite them seeing more of the ball.

They look content to take this narrow deficit back to the Metropolitano for the second-leg decider next week.

Ancelotti has sent on Lucas Vazquez for Valverde.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:39 , George Flood

79 mins: Correa’s effort cannons off the arm of Rodrygo from point-blank range inside the Real Madrid box.

Definitely not a penalty.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:35 , George Flood

76 mins: Two more changes from Diego Simeone.

Alexander Sorloth and Angel Correa replace Barrios and De Paul.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:34 , George Flood

Three goals tonight, all of them wonderful.

Brahim Diaz loves scoring against Atletico...

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:33 , George Flood

74 mins: Plenty of darks arts going on at these corners still, with Asencio heading well over.

A member of the Real Madrid coaching staff was booked a few moments ago.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:32 , George Flood

72 mins: Five at the back now for Atletico, whose intensity levels have gone way, way down.

With Griezmann replaced by a defender, is this Simeone shutting up shop and trying to take only a narrow defeat back home for the second leg?

Seems a very risky strategy if so...

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:31 , George Flood

70 mins: Brahim Diaz is continuing to dig deep into his bag of tricks, causing Gimenez plenty of headaches.

Real Madrid now look calm and comfortable with their lead.

Robin Le Normand replaces Griezmann for Atletico.

Wasn’t expecting that...

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:28

67 mins: Real Madrid are playing with far more freedom in attack since that second goal.

Vinicius Jr and Brahim are causing Atletico plenty of problems, the latter beating Gimenez again before the Uruguayan gets back to make a key block.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:24 , George Flood

63 mins: We should mention that Brahim Diaz was booked for his celebration after scoring.

Modric is now on, replacing Camavinga.

Atletico have sent on Conor Gallagher for Lino and Nahuel Molina for Giuliano Simeone.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:22 , George Flood

60 mins: Courtois gets down low to his right to tip away a dangerous Griezmann ball with Alvarez lurking.

Lenglet then flicks on a delivery into the Real Madrid box that is slashed wide at the back post by Gimenez.

Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico

21:18

58 mins: A third crucial intervention this evening from Valverde, this time to thwart Griezmann as wounded Atletico look to hit back quickly.

I think Modric has sat back down for now.

GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico | Brahim Diaz 55'

21:13 , George Flood

55 mins: Los Blancos retake the lead out of nowhere!

Wonderful fast and tricky feet inside the box from Brahim Diaz to leave Jose Maria Gimenez on the deck before firing into the far bottom corner.

Another really memorable goal, good build-up play too involving Vinicius Jr.

Simeone will be seething. Atleti had looked comfortable.

Modric was going to come on for Real, but I don’t think he will now.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

21:13 , George Flood

53 mins: The whistles are now deafening at the Bernabeu as Atletico continue to largely monopolise possession.

An unfortunate slip from Rudiger as he tries to deal with a cross from the left almost lets in De Paul, whose effort is blocked by Mendy.

Tchouameni gets his head to the corner and Atletico give up a free-kick for Gimenez’s shove on Asencio.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

21:10 , George Flood

50 mins: De Paul puts too much on a cross intended for Alvarez with Atletico still in control early in the second half.

But Madrid counter and earn a corner through the industry of Vinicius Jr.

It’s flicked on dangerously but Atleti clear and look to launch their own fast break.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

21:05 , George Flood

47 mins: Mbappe has been very quiet so far tonight, now he tries a long-range daisy-cutter on his weaker left foot that was never unduly troubling Oblak.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

21:04 , George Flood

Back underway for an important second half at the Bernabeu.

No changes from either Carlo Ancelotti or Diego Simeone at the break.

Ancelotti will be demanding more from his side after a fairly subdued opening period.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

20:59

That’s now 22 goals across all competitions in his first 41 Atletico appearances for Julian Alvarez after his blockbuster £82m summer move from the Etihad.

Some talent.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

20:50

Half-time

No stoppage time at all at the end of the first half - you don’t see that often these days.

Level in the first leg of this Champions League last-16 Madrid derby after Julian Alvarez’s pearler to cancel out a similarly sensational early strike from Rodrygo.

There have been further chances at both ends, but Atletico have been the better side on balance after a ropey start.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

20:48 , George Flood

45 mins: A nice little flicked pass into the box from Tchouameni, with Valverde forward from right-back as he tries to beat Oblak at his near post.

He was never scoring from that angle though and it’s easily held by the Slovenian goalkeeper.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

20:46 , George Flood

40 mins: Neither attack are really functioning on the same wavelength here as we approach the interval.

An Atleti attack led by Griezmann breaks down, but the visitors are having so much possession now to whistles from the frustrated home fans.

When they lose it, they are winning it back so quickly.

Brilliant energy and determination, as you would expect from a Diego Simeone team.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

20:42 , George Flood

37 mins: A bit of a lull to the game since that Atletico equaliser.

Real Madrid are really struggling to rediscover those intensity levels.

Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico

20:41

Alvarez somehow manages to upstage Rodrygo.

What an effort - Manchester City would love to have him back I’m sure.

GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico | Julian Alvarez 32'

20:35

32 mins: Another absolute cracker!

Alvarez totally gets the better of Camavinga before rifling a gorgeous strike into the far corner beyond Courtois, who had no chance.

Two belting goals and we’re back level in this Madrid derby.

Atletico have come back well since the early goal.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:33 , George Flood

29 mins: End-to-end stuff at the Bernabeu at the moment as Atletico fail to make the most of a lovely cross from De Paul.

Surely no way this ends 1-0, right?

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:32 , George Flood

28 mins: Real Madrid have a free-kick wide on the left after Vinicius Jr is caught in the face by Marcos Llorente.

Rodrygo’s ball just evades the head of Rudiger before being parried away low by Oblak.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:30

25 mins: Much better from Atletico as Giuliano Simeone shrugs off Brahim to get to the byline, with Valverde again making a crucial intervention to deny Lino the equaliser.

Barrios then blazes over.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:27 , George Flood

22 mins: Good build-up play from Atleti to work their way up to the Real box, but it’s a total waste of a final ball from Giuliano Simeone as it flies wide for a Courtois goal kick.

His dad won’t be happy with that.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:25 , George Flood

21 mins: This time Atleti are caught out and Real counter quickly, with a low drive from Vinicius Jr held by Oblak.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:24 , George Flood

19 mins: A far more competitive game now after Real’s electric start, with Atletico more of a threat.

Rodrygo is robbed of possession in a dangerous area, with Lino looking for a penalty and Alvarez trying to get a shot away before a decisive intervention from Rudiger.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:20 , George Flood

16 mins: Attentive defending from stand-in Real skipper Valverde, who clears a low cross from the Atletico right flank intended for Lino.

The visitors have a corner which is headed straight up by Rudiger, with Giuliano Simeone dragging a poor volley well wide.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:18 , George Flood

15 mins: That was a key block from Gimenez on Vinicius Jr inside the box.

He threw out a trailing leg to divert the Brazilian’s low effort behind.

Atleti look worryingly open at the back so far tonight, which will concern Diego Simeone.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:17 , George Flood

How about that from Rodrygo?

Sumptuous strike with his left foot...

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:16 , George Flood

12 mins: Danger again for Atletico, this time in the left channel.

Mbappe is there lurking inside the box, but he doesn’t get a chance to double the early lead.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:15 , George Flood

9 mins: Atletico look to have their bearings a bit now and Lenglet threatens from a Griezmann corner.

Real eventually deal with it.

Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico

20:11

6 mins: Atletico cannot live with Rodrygo at all early on here as the Brazilian again races into the box and tangles with Javi Galan, who gets away with the challenge.

Real scream for a penalty, but it’s not given and checked and cleared by VAR.

Atleti are all at sea early on at the Bernabeu.

GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Atletico | Rodrygo 4'

20:06 , George Flood

4 mins: What a goal!

Rodrygo leaves Javi Galan and Clement Lenglet for dust as he collects a fine through pass from Valverde down the right channel, cutting inside before curling an unstoppable effort past Oblak.

Superb. A dream start for Los Blancos.

Real Madrid 0-0 Atletico

20:05 , George Flood

2 mins: Plenty of early possession for Atletico, for whom goalkeeper stalwart Jan Oblak is making his 100th European appearance tonight.

Real Madrid vs Atletico

20:01 , George Flood

Here we go! A massive feel to this game.

France’s Clement Turpin is tonight’s referee, with Jerome Brisard on VAR duty.

Both teams in their familiar home kits, as it should be.

The crowd already in amazing voice, with a minute’s silence also in memory of late former Real Madrid defender Javier Dorado.

Real Madrid vs Atletico

19:58 , George Flood

The teams are out at a packed and buzzing Bernabeu!

Time for that famous anthem...

10-minute warning

19:50 , George Flood

Final preparations at the Bernabeu!

Something tells me we are in for a very lively night indeed...

Diego Simeone: Atletico have to take Real Madrid to place of 'hurt'

19:40 , George Flood

Diego Simeone is only too aware of that one-sided nature of the otherwise highly-competitive Madrid rivalry in the Champions League, but believes Atletico can “hurt” Real Madrid this time around.

"We are facing a rival that we respect,” the Argentine said yesterday.

“We know our strengths, we play to their full potential and we will try to take the game to a place where we can hurt them.

"History exists, and Madrid's history in the Champions League is extraordinary. Tomorrow we will surely have a new opportunity.

"I always put Barcelona and Madrid in the place they are in because of the history they have, but we are pure growth, which is very nice.

“For the city it is spectacular, for Spain, to be able to have a Spanish team in the quarter-finals and for us who are going to play, to enjoy it."

Real Madrid dominate Atletico in Champions League

19:35 , George Flood

Though both LaLiga meetings have been drawn this season and Real Madrid have only won one of their last seven games against Atletico, they have absolutely dominated this rivalry in Europe.

All four ties in the Champions League over the last 11 years have been won by Los Blancos, a run that includes the finals in 2014 and 2016.

They last met in the 2016/17 semi-finals, when a 2-1 home win for Atleti in the second leg was not enough to overturn a 3-0 deficit.

Atmosphere building at the Bernabeu

19:22 , George Flood

As you might expect with a derby clash of this magnitude on the biggest stage, the atmosphere outside the Bernabeu ahead of kick-off looks spicy...

Carlo Ancelotti full of 'respect' for Diego Simeone

19:19 , George Flood

Tonight is the 27th time that Carlo Ancelotti and Diego Simeone have locked horns in the dugout.

Remarkably, they each have nine wins to go along with nine draws.

"My first memory of him is as a footballer with Lazio, when he scored against Juventus. I was coach in a game that was for the league title. Lazio won and they took the championship, I think it was 2000," Ancelotti said of his counterpart yesterday.

"Now, as a coach, I respect him a lot. He's a great manager. He has done very well at Atletico, taken them to the highest level in Europe.

"I like the way he reads the games, how he gets the team on the pitch, the strategy, the commitment his team has defensively. I like all of these aspects a lot."

Gimenez, Llorente and Alvarez all return for Atleti

19:01 , George Flood

Diego Simeone makes three changes to the Atletico Madrid team that started Saturday’s 1-0 home win over Athletic Club in LaLiga.

Jose Maria Gimenez and Marcos Llorente return to defence in place of Nahuel Molina and Robin Le Normand.

The only other change is up front as expected, where Alexander Sorloth makes way for Julian Alvarez.

Conor Gallagher is among the Atleti substitutes.

Atletico Madrid lineup

18:54

Starting XI: Oblak, Gimenez, Llorente, Lenglet, Javi Galan, De Paul, Barrios, Lino, Giuliano, Griezmann, Alvarez

Subs: Musso, Gomis, Molina, Witsel, Reinildo, Le Normand, Gallagher, Lemar, Riquelme, Sorloth, Correa

Carlo Ancelotti relishing 'special' Madrid derby contest

18:50 , George Flood

Like most of the football-watching public in general, Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is expecting another close contest tonight that will leave the tie finely balanced heading into next week’s decider at the Metropolitano.

"It's going to be a close tie that will be decided in the second leg,” the Italian said yesterday at his pre-match press conference.

“The objective tomorrow is to play well and take an advantage.

"The match will be even and competitive, as a Madrid derby always is.

“It's a special match in terms of emotions and the pressure you feel ahead of a big rivalry game."

18:41

Confirmation here that Fede Valverde is the Real Madrid captain tonight...

Federico Valverde captains Real Madrid from right-back

18:32 , George Flood

So as mentioned that’s presumably right-back tonight again then for Federico Valverde, who is also captaining Real Madrid with regular skipper Luka Modric on the bench along with one of his deputies in Lucas Vazquez.

The other, Dani Carvajal, is still out injured of course.

It looks like the versatile Raul Asencio will be playing at centre-back alongside Antonio Rudiger, with Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni - who has played plenty of centre-back for Los Blancos this season in the absence of Eder Militao - in an all-French midfield pairing.

It should be Rodrygo on the left and Brahim Diaz off the right, with Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr leading the line.

Federico Valverde starts for Real Madrid after injury

18:28 , George Flood

Real Madrid continue their tradition of very early team news announcements.

The headline from that is that Federico Valverde is indeed fit to start after missing the last two games through injury, slotting in at right-back as he did against Manchester City in the knockout play-off round.

Raul Asencio and Eduardo Camavinga also come in as Lucas Vazquez, David Alaba and Luka Modric all drop to the bench.

Real Madrid lineup

18:21

Starting XI: Courtois, Valverde, Asencio, Rudiger, Mendy, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Rodrygo, Brahim, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr

Subs: Lunin, Fran Gonzalez, Alaba, Modric, Arda Guler, Endrick, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Garcia

Little to separate Madrid rivals this season

18:08 , George Flood

As mentioned, these two sides have drawn both of their LaLiga meetings this season 1-1, with Kylian Mbappe’s effort shortly after half-time securing a point for Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on February 8 after Julian Alvarez had opened the scoring for Atletico after half an hour from the penalty spot following Aurelien Tchouameni’s foul on Samuel Lino.

Atleti dominated the first half and should have been further ahead, but were indebted to goalkeeper Jan Oblak for keeping them in the game thereafter.

At the Metropolitano back in September, Angel Correa scored in stoppage time to rescue a dramatic draw for Atletico after Eder Militao’s opener had led to home ultras throwing objects onto the pitch, causing the game to be delayed.

Real were without the injured Mbappe that day and Marcos Llorente was also sent off in the closing moments for a foul from behind on Fran Garcia.

Real Madrid vs Atletico prediction

17:55 , George Flood

The last three fixtures between these two sides have finished 1-1, with Real Madrid only winning one of their last seven matches against Atletico.

This is likely to be another tight encounter with neither taking too many risks in the first leg.

Real have the edge when it comes to individual stars stepping up with decisive moments, but Atletico are rock-solid defensively.

It feels destined to be a tie that is going to remain right in the balance throughout the 180 minutes and potentially beyond.

Draw, 1-1.

Atletico Madrid team news

17:51

Atletico are missing some experience tonight in the form of veteran former Chelsea defender Cesar Azpilicueta and midfield stalwart and captain Koke, who are both injured.

Marcos Llorente, Conor Gallagher and Jose Gimenez should all return to Diego Simeone’s starting XI after being named on the bench for Saturday’s home LaLiga win over Athletic Club, likewise ex-Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez who got the winner in that game.

Real Madrid team news

17:45 , George Flood

Real Madrid are hopeful that Federico Valverde will be fit to play tonight after missing Saturday’s shock LaLiga defeat at Real Betis with what manager Carlo Ancelotti described as “discomfort”.

The Uruguayan midfielder, who can also operate brilliantly at right-back, also didn’t play against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg at Anoeta last week, but has been back in training and a final decision on his fitness was expected to be taken on Monday.

Los Blancos are again without Jude Bellingham, who completed his two-game LaLiga suspension over the weekend but also has a one-match ban in the Champions League after collecting three yellow cards.

Dani Ceballos is facing a lengthy spell out with a hamstring injury suffered against Sociedad, while Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao and Jesus Vallejo are all long-term absentees.

How to watch Real Madrid vs Atletico

17:40 , George Flood

TV channel: In the UK, tonight’s game will be televised live on TNT Sports 1.

It will follow the conclusion of the early kick-off between Club Brugge and Aston Villa in Belgium.

Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers will also be able to watch on a live stream online via the Discovery+ app and website.

Real Madrid vs Atletico live

17:37 , George Flood

Hello and welcome to live coverage of Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid in a massive first-leg tie in the Champions League last 16.

The opening clash in the standout showdown of the competition’s knockout stage proper so far comes from the Santiago Bernabeu, where these two rivals played out their second 1-1 draw of the season less than a month ago.

Two points currently separates Atletico in second from third-place Real in LaLiga, with both teams trailing leaders Barcelona in an eventful title race.

Each will be keen to strike a massive psychological blow on the continent tonight ahead of the deciding fixture at Metropolitano Stadium next week.

Kick-off tonight is at 8pm GMT and 9pm CET, so stay tuned throughout the night for our build-up, breaking team news and live game updates.