Atletico Madrid is on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League after defeating local rival and La Liga champion Real Madrid.
Real Madrid made seven substitutions following Wednesday’s thrilling victory over Manchester City, when the championship was already assured.
Yannick Carrasco converted the game-winning penalty kick after Matheus Cunha was fouled by a defender for Atletico Madrid, which proved to be the difference in the game.
The fourth-place squad of Diego Simeone is six points ahead of the fifth-place Real Betis.
The Atletico Madrid manager rallied the crowd with his arms as the defending champions secured a victory that left them only one point behind Sevilla for third place.
Angel Correa wasted an early opportunity to increase the home team’s lead, and Cunha’s attempt was blocked after Antoine Griezmann’s outstanding play.
Griezmann and Carrasco also connected beautifully in the box, but the France forward’s shot went wide of Andriy Lunin’s goal, and Carrasco then hit the inside of the near post moments later.
Real Madrid improved after the introduction of Vinicius Junior in the second half, and the Brazilian forward’s driving run created a fantastic opportunity for Marco Asensio that was denied.
Substitute At the Wanda Metropolitano, Federico Valverde challenged Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak on two occasions.
Before facing Liverpool in the Winners League final on May 28 in Paris, Carlo Ancelotti’s champions have three more league games to play.
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