The derby between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid has a long and storied history, with the two teams first facing off in European competition back in 1959. Since then, they’ve met on several occasions, with the latest encounters taking place under the new Champions League format starting from 2014. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable matchups between these two Spanish powerhouses.
White Dominance in Europe
If we consider all the formats in which Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid have clashed, it’s clear that the former has had the upper hand. In their five European tie encounters, Atlético has only managed to win two out of nine games, and they haven’t been able to take a single tie. The stats are pretty telling, with Real Madrid scoring 19 goals to Atlético’s 9. One player who’s had a significant impact on this head-to-head is Cristiano Ronaldo, who’s the all-time leading scorer in these matchups with four goals.
Semifinals 2017
One of the most memorable recent encounters was during the 2017 semifinals. The first leg saw Real Madrid dominate Atlético 3-0 at the Bernabéu, with Cristiano Ronaldo scoring a stunning hat-trick. This virtual knockout blow left Atlético reeling, and although they fought back with a 2-1 win in the return leg, it wasn’t enough to overturn the deficit. Isco’s away goal before halftime in the second leg was the nail in the coffin, and Real Madrid advanced to the final.
Final 2016
The 2016 Champions League Final was another intense matchup between these two teams. Sergio Ramos put Real Madrid ahead in the first half, but Carrasco equalized for Atlético in the second. The game went to penalties, where Juanfran missed his shot, and Cristiano Ronaldo sealed the deal for Real Madrid, winning the Undécima.
Quarterfinals 2015
In the 2015 quarterfinals, the two teams faced off in a closely contested tie. The first leg at the Calderón ended 0-0, with Oblak putting in a standout performance to deny Real Madrid any clear chances. The return leg at the Bernabéu saw Chicharito score the decisive goal in the dying minutes, after Arda Turan was sent off for Atlético. The 1-0 win sent Real Madrid through to the semifinals.
Final 2014
The 2014 Champions League Final was an unforgettable encounter. Godín put Atlético ahead, but Sergio Ramos equalized in the 93rd minute with a historic header. In extra time, Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo completed the comeback, securing the Décima for Real Madrid.
Semifinals 1959
The first-ever European matchup between Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid took place in 1959. The tie required three games to settle, as the format at the time didn’t include the away goals rule. After a 2-1 win for Real Madrid in the first leg and a 1-0 win for Atlético in the second, the deciding game was played in Zaragoza. Di Stéfano and Puskas scored to seal the deal for Real Madrid, sending them through to the next round. This historic matchup set the stage for the many thrilling encounters that would follow between these two Spanish giants.