FOOTBALL – VINICIUS Junior struck twice as Real Madrid shaded Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a thrilling derby clash yesterday to stay on leaders Barcelona’s tail at the top of La Liga.
After the Catalan giants edged Rayo Vallecano 1-0 earlier on, Madrid ensured the gap to the champions stayed at four points by beating Diego Simeone’s side at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Ademola Lookman put Atletico ahead in the first half but Vinicius and Federico Valverde’s strikes gave the hosts the lead soon after the interval.
Nahuel Molina equalised for Atletico, fourth, with a spectacular effort from distance but Vinicius netted again to claim the three points for Los Blancos.
Valverde was sent off for hacking Alex Baena in the final stages but his side held on to win in Alvaro Arbeloa’s first derby clash with Atletico since taking over in January.
After ousting Manchester City in the Champions League last 16 on Tuesday, victory against Atletico completed a successful week for Arbeloa.
A pulsating clash began with chances for both sides, with Valverde hitting the post after bursting in behind the Atletico defence.
At the other end, Andriy Lunin, playing in place of the injured Thibaut Courtois, fumbled Marcos Llorente’s drive but recovered quickly to grab the loose ball.
Vinicius came close to putting Madrid ahead but Giuliano Simeone blocked twice in quick succession in his own six-yard box from the forward.
Atletico took the lead after 33 minutes with a slick team move, Giuliano Simeone backheeling the ball to Lookman who slotted home.
Real Madrid netted two quickfire goals early in the second half as Atletico imploded.
Brahim Diaz showed fleet footwork in the area and the unbalanced David Hancko felled the Morocco international.
Vinicius tucked home from the spot in the 52nd minute, sending Juan Musso the wrong way.