Atlético Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano in LaLiga

Real Madrid lost 2-1 away to city rivals Atlético Madrid in LaLiga, Spain's top division, on 27 September 2026. The derby was played at the Metropolitano, Atlético's home ground, just before the September international break.

The match was overshadowed by refereeing controversy. Decisions by the officials were widely debated afterwards, and they added to the frustration around Real Madrid's performance and result.

The defeat mattered because it came early in José Mourinho's new spell in charge and gave a rival bragging rights in the capital's biggest fixture. It left Real Madrid with questions about their form, discipline and consistency, and it stood as a low point that later comparisons would refer back to.

The loss became the reference point for the team's recovery. Real Madrid's later run of consecutive wins was measured against this derby setback, which is why it is recalled as the moment from which the improvement under Mourinho began.