Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid did not disappoint in El Derbi, and Los Blancos were able to survive an early deficit and a Fede Valverde red card to take down their crosstown rivals 3-2 in a huge win that keeps them plugging along right behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race.
Here are the player ratings from the win, with Vinicius Junior leading the way as Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe were second half substitutes on their road back from injury.
GK Andriy Lunin, 7.0
He could be better on the ball, but Andriy Lunin made a couple of big saves and could do nothing about the goals Atletico Madrid put past him.
LB Fran Garcia, 6.0
He actually played alright. Fran Garcia is not the best player technically and has serious limitations, but his effort is often enough to ensure he is passable on the left for Real Madrid.
CB Dean Huijsen, 6.5
So, so good on the ball when he plays like this, delivering accurate passes and keeping possession ticking comfortably while challenging the opposing defenses down the field with passes. You’d like to see him be more involved defensively, though, to truly be a Real Madrid starter every week.
CB Antonio Rudiger, 6.0
He wasn’t bad, but Antonio Rudiger’s had better performances defensively and should have closed down the cross better for the first goal. But his work on the ball was excellent in this one.
RB Dani Carvajal, 6.5
Solid, if not unspectacular. He created a couple of chances, but Dani Carvajal also had some sloppy moments going back in his own half defensively, including a wild challenge that could have been punished severely.
DM Aurelien Tchouameni, 7.5
Quality, as ever. Aurelien Tchouameni has really stepped it up lately going both ways, making solid tackles defensively and both keeping possession on the ball and creating chances with that possession.
CM Thiago Pitarch, 6.5
He looks like a young general at times with the way he directs his more senior teammates to make the right passes from his own half. Thiago Pitarch is incredibly composed, though the next step for him is turning his passing into great chances for his teammates.
CM Fede Valverde, 7.5
Nearly scored a brilliant goal out of nothing, smacking the post, and then rectified his mistake with another breakaway goal after winning possession with a charging press, using the outside of his boot this time to score. Unlucky to have been sent off in a derby for that tackle, though it was a silly one to make.
AM Arda Guler, 7.0
The effort and quality of passing are all there for Arda Guler. He can get bullied off the ball against these sorts of opponents, but he is still a positive because of his technical quality and vision.
FW Vinicius Junior, 8.0
Scored a well taken, thunderous penalty and then topped that with the winning goal, curling it beautifully past Juan Musso after leaving Alex Banea for dead. He was a constant threat to the Atleti defense throughout, as ever.
FW Brahim Diaz, 7.5
Quietly, Brahim Diaz had a very good all around game. He was brilliant in tight spaces, drawing fouls and creating chances for Real Madrid. With Rodrygo Goes and Kylian Mbappe injured, the Moroccan has greatly stepped his game up for Los Blancos.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.