Atletico Madrid claimed victory in the Madrid derby thanks to Antoine Griezmann’s second half goal against Real Madrid.
Griezmann scored shortly after half time when Atleti engineered a four-on-three against Madrid's defence.
He ran at the back line, exchanged passes with Filipe Luis and slotted past Keylor Navas for his first goal since January 27.
The goal was the signal for chants of ‘Florentino, resign!’ from sections of the Santiago Bernabeu crowd, Los Blancos falling four points behind Atleti and, they could, depending on how Barcelona fare against Sevilla, be 12 points adrift of the Primera leaders by Sunday night.
Karim Benzema and Fernando Torres started up front for their respective sides, with Zinedine Zidane and Diego Simeone both making a number of changes from the previous fixtures, though Benzema only lasted the first half before Borja Mayoral came in.
Cristiano Ronaldo had the first shot on goal inside a minute and a Ronaldo cross caused problems for Diego Godin as Madrid dominated the early going in both possession and territory.
An Atletico corner signalled some intent from the visitors but Augusto Fernandez’s shot from the edge of the area was tame – a Danilo back-pass that had Navas scrambling was more dangerous.
A Raphael Varane header from a Toni Kroos cross had Atleti hearts in mouths, which is more than could be send for a weak Ronaldo effort that trickled past Jan Oblak’s post.
Torres was well found by Koke mid-way through the half but Sergio Ramos snuffed out the danger in a more composed way than Diego Godin did when Benzema burst behind the defence to meet Ronaldo’s throw, receiving a yellow card for his trouble.
Ronaldo’s free-kick was punched away by Oblak and Benzema sent a follow-up shot wide but the game remained a tepid affair, only Filipe’s yellow card for a foul on Luka Modric breaking the stupor.
Navas tipping Antoine Griezmann’s shot over the bar as the first half neared its end was a rare moment of attacking quality, echoed by Navas saving from Koke shortly after, Atletico having surpassed 300 minutes since their last goal during the stodgy opening 45 minutes.
Mayoral entered for the second half but it was Ronaldo who fired wide shortly after the re-start, a tight angle but a good chance in the context of this game.
It looked even better when Griezmann gave Atletico the lead moments later and, ironically, Madrid had started the half looking much more energetic than the first, but Atleti took the lead and broke their drought.
A Juanfran turn nearly produced a chance for Saul Niguez as Madrid toiled for an equaliser but Atletico stood firm and threatened on the break.
Ronaldo’s header from a perfect Dani Carvajal cross went straight at Oblak, before a wicked Lucas Vazquez cross went begging and Borja’s sliced effort was palmed away by the goalkeeper.
Danilo wanted a penalty after he was brought down by Gabi, referee Carlos Clos Gomez disagreeing, and Madrid had a handful of half-chances that didn’t truly trouble Atletico.
Indeed it’s Madrid looking in trouble, well off the pace in La Liga and, in the end, fairly beaten in their own back yard by a dogged Atletico.
Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid
Griezmann 52
Real Madrid: Navas; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Danilo; Kroos, Modric, Isco (Jese 70); James (Lucas 57), Benzema (Borja 46), Ronaldo
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godin, Gimenez, Filipe; Koke, Gabi, Augusto (Kranevitter 77), Saul; Griezmann, Torres (Correa 81)
Referee: Clos Gomez
