Atlético Madrid beat Real Madrid 2-1 after VAR red card

Atlético Madrid defeated Real Madrid 2-1 at the Wanda Metropolitano on Sept. 20, 2026. Dean Huijsen was sent off when VAR upgraded his yellow to red for fouling Giuliano Simeone. Alejandro Grimaldo scored in the 53rd minute and Jonathan David in the 59th after a Simeone cross. Antonio Rüdiger pulled one back in the 89th. Atlético took 18 shots to Real Madrid's 8. Cristian Romero got a yellow after VAR for a challenge on Jude Bellingham; Lee Kang-in was not booked for contact on Federico Valverde. Real Madrid's match report said the derby was marred by the abysmal refereeing of Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias, who failed to send off Romero for stepping on Bellingham's knee and Lee for stepping on Valverde's ankle, and that both decisions proved decisive. Mourinho showed photos of the incidents, said the 41-year-old referee lacked international experience and could not cope with the pressure, listed recent calls he considered against Real Madrid, and said he wanted to think they were mistakes by the referee committee. Diego Simeone said you cannot lose the referees' respect. Giuliano Simeone declined to join the dispute and spoke about his own focus and development. Wire reports and USA Today say Grimaldo converted a penalty; SportBible says VAR awarded a free kick after finding the contact outside the area.