Brahim Diaz gives Real Madrid the edge against city rivals Atletico

Brahim Diaz scored the winning goal for Real Madrid to earn a 2-1 victory over rivals Atletico Madrid in their last 16 Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.

The hosts led early on with a curling strike from Rodrygo but Atletico grew into the half and levelled with a brilliant effort from Julian Alvarez.

However, Diaz restored Real’s lead after the break with a low shot from the left, earning the defending champions a slim advantage for next week’s second-leg meeting.

Real took the lead just four minutes into the match when Federico Valverde threaded a pass into Rodrygo, who burst past Javi Galan on the right wing before cutting into the box and curling the ball past Jan Oblak.

Samuel Lino had a cross nodded behind by Antonio Rudiger as Atletico looked to pull one back but the hosts were soon on the attack when Vinicius Junior had a low effort blocked.

The visitors began to threaten and came close when a poor clearance fell to Giuliano Simeone in a good position but he scuffed his shot wide.

Simeone then played a menacing low ball across the six-yard area but Valverde reacted quickly to clear and Atletico caused more problems with another cross in the same position, which Real were again able to deal with.

Atletico’s spell of pressure paid off in the 32nd minute when former Manchester City striker Alvarez manoeuvred the ball into the left side of the box and from the edge launched a stunning strike which beat the outstretched Thibaut Courtois and bounced into the net via the far post.

A change in momentum saw the hosts struggle to build up moves and Valverde had a meek effort easily collected by Oblak at the near post on the cusp of half-time.

After an even start to the second half Real made the decisive breakthrough in the 55th minute when Vinicius and Ferland Mendy combined to find winger Diaz, who weaved through the Atletico defence before smashing a low shot into the far corner.

The visitors looked to respond when Antoine Griezmann burst into the box and forced Courtois into a dive to tip his low effort away and had another chance when Jose Maria Gimenez sliced an effort over the bar from a free-kick.

A comfortable final 20 minutes for Real saw them dominate possession and come close twice in stoppage time.

Kylian Mbappe’s low cross was bundled away by the Atletico defence but the France international recovered the ball and found Luka Modric, who hit a tame effort into the hands of Oblak.