ATLETICO CLOSE IN ON CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOT WITH 1-0 VICTORY OVER REAL MADRID

MADRID: A first-half penalty by Yannick Carrasco earned Atletico Madrid a 1-0 victory in a fiery derby clash against champions Real Madrid on Sunday, as the hosts tightened their grip on a place in next season’s Champions League.

Diego Simeone’s side remain fourth in the standings on 64 points, six clear of Real Betis in fifth, and with three games left to play they edged closer to a topfour finish, to qualify for Europe’s top club competition.

“Everyone will compete to reach the goal, but it is a strong and decisive step,” Simeone told Movistar. “We know what this game is like, it’s a game of strength and whoever doesn’t have it has to lose.”

Atletico, who welcomed the newly crowned La Liga champions to the Wanda Metropolitano without the traditional guard of honour, came out pressing high as Angel Correa and Carrasco had two great chances to open the scoring within the first 10 minutes.

Carrasco put the hosts ahead in the 40th minute, after the referee changed his initial decision and a penalty was awarded to Atletico following a VAR review for a foul on Matheus Cunha.

The midfielder calmly lashed the ball past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, as the 23-year-old Ukrainian made his LaLiga debut for Real Madrid almost four years after he had signed for the club.

The goal sparked Carlo Ancelotti’s side into life, despite several players being rested after Real clinched their 35th league title last weekend, and some powerful shots threatened goalkeeper Jan Oblak’s goal before half-time. The Slovenia international pulled off another great save to deny Casemiro in the 59th minute and Federico Valverde 10 minutes later.