MX23RW : Tuesday, March 11 02:11:48| >> :120:21010:21010:

Diego Costa strike enough for Atletico Madrid to win derby

Diego Costa's early goal proves enough for Atletico Madrid to beat Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in La Liga.

Atletico Madrid have defeated Real Madrid 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu to maintain their perfect record in La Liga.

The only goal in the Madrid derby came after just 11 minutes when Diego Costa collected Koke's pass and slotted it past Diego Lopez from inside the hosts' penalty box.

Real recovered from their shock to create their first meaningful chance in the 25th minute when Karim Benzema forced Thibaut Courtois into a save with a close-range header.

Benzema wasted another good chance on the half-hour mark when he headed Angel di Maria's cross wide, before Tiago failed to keep his header on target for Atletico.

Angel Di Maria of Real Madrid CF competes for the ball with Koke of Atletico de Madrid during the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 28, 2013© Getty Images

Costa was denied by Lopez on the stroke of half time, just moments before Cristiano Ronaldo planted his header over the crossbar after meeting Di Maria's cross.

Real coach Carlo Ancelotti sent on Gareth Bale and Luka Modric at the start of the second half, but it was the visitors to whom the first chance after the restart fell.

Gareth Bale of Real Madrid CF sits on the bench as he speaks with team-mate Luka Modric prior to start the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on September 28, 2013© Getty Images

Once again it was Costa who found himself in a good position after being released by David Villa, but Lopez made yet another good save.

Bale earned Los Blancos a free kick just moments later, but Ronaldo blasted it high and wide.

The home side were given another lifeline to earn a point from the contest when Koke's curling effort eight minutes from time came back off the crossbar.

However, despite Real's pressure in the final minutes that included an Alvaro Morata volley being denied by Courtois, Atletico held on for all three points.

ID:107874: cacheID:107874:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5028:
Written by
Subhankar Mondal
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Atletico Madrid's Diego Costa celebrates after scoring his team's second goal against Almeria on September 14, 2013
Read Next:
Half-Time Report: Atletico ahead in Madrid derby
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona26183571254657
2Real Madrid27176457263157
3Atletico MadridAtletico27168344182656
4Athletic Bilbao271310445242149
5Villarreal26128648361244
6Real BetisBetis2711883533241
7Mallorca27107102633-737
8Rayo Vallecano279992929036
9Celta Vigo27106114041-136
10Sevilla279993236-436
11Real Sociedad27104132328-534
12Getafe2789102322133
13GironaGirona2796123540-533
14Osasuna2671273237-533
15Espanyol2677122537-1228
16Valencia2769123045-1527
17Leganes2769122440-1627
18AlavesAlaves2768133040-1026
19Las PalmasLas Palmas2766153045-1524
20Real ValladolidValladolid2744191862-4416


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!