Audio By Carbonatix
Atletico Madrid produced a stunning attacking display to stun Real Madrid 4-0 at the Vicente Calderon and cut the gap between the two sides to just four points at the top of La Liga.
Diego Simeone's men would have fallen 10 points behind Real with defeat at the Vicente Calderon, but the Liga pacesetters were rolled over in ruthless fashion by a rampant home side.
Victory extends Atletico's unbeaten run against their neighbours to six games this season after the visitors were out-fought and out-thought in every department.
Ancelotti, who insisted his men were "not scared" of Atletico, was able to call upon the services of Cristiano Ronaldo again following his suspension, but the visitors looked in trouble from the off and Tiago opened the scoring with 14 minutes gone.
Saul, an early substitute for the injured Koke, doubled their tally with a delightful bicycle kick four minutes later, leaving the Liga leaderscompletely stunned.
The visitors rarely looked capable of mounting a response and Atletico added further goals through Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic to move within four points of Real at the summit.
Atleti began the contest with purpose and looked particularly threatening down the right flank through Arda Turan, who caused problems inside the first 10 minutes.
The hosts were dealt the blow of losing Koke to a hamstring injury in the 10th minute, but produced a marvellous response to the setback, taking the lead four minutes later.
In truth, there was a hint of fortune about the goal, as Tiago met Mandzukic's well-weighted pass on the edge of the area and drilled a low effort at Iker Casillas, who allowed the ball to squirm under him.
There was no doubt over the quality of Atletico's second, which came in the 18th minute.
Guilherme Siqueira produced a marauding run on the left wing, riding two challenges on his way, and then picked out a precise cross for Saul, whose acrobatic overhead kick flew in off the post.
Real picked things up after the half-hour mark, but Atletico continued to look lethal in attack and should have been awarded a penalty in the 34th minute when Sami Khedira blocked Diego Godin's goal-bound effort with his arm.
Simeone's men started the second half strongly and Griezmann tested Casillas with a stinging drive from the edge of the area, before sending a bicycle kick just over the crossbar.
The lively France star was not to be denied in the 67th minute, though, as Griezmann latched on to Saul's header across goal and poked in ahead of the sluggish Raphael Varane.
Real made a laboured attempt to salvage a consolation towards the end, but the champions ultimately sapped them of their remaining pride as Mandzukic headed in substitute Fernando Torres' cross for a fourth.
Latest Stories
-
EPA, Columbia University partner to map air pollution across Ghana — even in places without monitors
3 minutes -
Municipal Assemblies gain real-time pollution data as Breathe Accra expands air quality monitoring network
6 minutes -
2026 JoyNews Impact Makers honouree Dr Akunzule donates award prize to support women basket weavers in Upper East
13 minutes -
Multimedia Group joins Sammy Gyamfi to mourn late father-in-law
55 minutes -
Arsenal heartbreak as PSG win shootout to retain UCL title
2 hours -
Fans go wild at Hitz FM Rep Ur Jersey as PSG retain UCL title in penalty thriller
2 hours -
Xenophobia: NUGS President warns of mass action if gov’t renews Gold Fields lease
3 hours -
Photos from 2026 Hitz FM Rep Ur Jersey
4 hours -
Sterling arrested on suspicion of drug-driving
4 hours -
Ageing fire tenders, lack of hydrants threaten emergency response in Tema Region
5 hours -
Fans defy rain to watch Champions League final at Hitz FM Rep Ur Jersey
5 hours -
Bijou Homes showcases affordable living at 2026 Open House Fair
5 hours -
Barker-Vormawor challenges legitimacy of Anti-LGBTQ+ Bill approval
5 hours -
African Games audit findings are too serious to ignore; officials must answer – NITA Boss
6 hours -
An open letter to the President of the Republic of Ghana
6 hours