MADRID: Rodrygo and Federico Valverde scored to earn Real Madrid a 2-1 win over neighbors Atletico Madrid in a heated derby on Sunday to return to the top of La Liga.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have started their title defense in perfect fashion, with a 100 percent record from six games. This victory took Real two points above Barcelona, who had leapfrogged into first on Saturday.
The game was marred by racist chants aimed at Real Madrid’s Brazilian forward Vinicius Junior outside the stadium before the game, sparked by criticism of his dancing goal celebrations and a subsequent debate over whether that criticism was racist.
Fans also threw objects at Vinicius after a Real goal and aimed racist chants at him in the closing stages. After another Brazilian, Rodrygo, broke the deadlock in the 18th minute, he danced in celebration with Vinicius, to the chagrin of Atletico’s enraged supporters.