Real Madrid restored its two-point lead over Barcelona at the top of LaLiga with a surgical 2-1 win at the home of eternal rival Atlético Madrid on Sunday evening.
The prematch buildup centered around Vinícius Júnior's right to celebrate goals any way he damn well pleases, and the Brazilian was dancing with his compatriot Rodrygo in the 18th minute after the man deputizing for Karim Benzema at striker went full Benzema while exchanging passes with Aurélien Tchouaméni before brilliantly half-volleying the Frenchman's clipped return ball.
RODRYGO SCORES AN ABSOLUTE BEAUTY AND DANCES WITH VINICIUS pic.twitter.com/aekxsvMsZd
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 18, 2022
Vinicius after Koke warned that there would be trouble if he danced vs. Atleti pic.twitter.com/CkyDdsBOJ8
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 18, 2022
Vini Jr. was instrumental in Real's second in the 36th minute. The Brazilian played a one-two with Luka Modrić to go scampering into the box, but his shot rattled off the post before rebounding to Federico Valverde for the finish.
VALVERDE SCORES OFF OF THE VINICIUS MISS pic.twitter.com/6VUgvpMpil
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) September 18, 2022
Those two goals sucked the atmosphere out of the Metropolitano, and the Atlético attack never got going despite a rare start for Antoine "Mr. 30 Minutes" Griezmann up top alongside João Félix. When the 22-year-old Portuguese forward was hooked in the 62nd-minute, he went straight down the tunnel rather than watch his club continue to embarrass itself.
Atletico Madrid fans calling Vinicius Jr a monkey before their match against Real Madrid.
It’s not 1 person, 2,3…it’s thousands.
La Liga better do something about it, it’s disgusting.
Not taking any action will say a lot about the league and
pic.twitter.com/KiN9uua5cA— Tactical Manager (@ManagerTactical) September 18, 2022
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Substitute Mario Hermoso pulled one back for Atlético in the 83rd for an interesting final few minutes, but Real held on for a deserved three points.
ATLETI GET ONE BACK pic.twitter.com/07YoDMv7mn
— ESPN+ (@ESPNPlus) September 18, 2022
With the upcoming international break, Real is off until Sunday, Oct. 2 — a home match against fifth-place Osasuna. Atlético travels to 15th-place Sevilla the day before.
We'll just have to fill the time with dance.
