Real Madrid 2-1 Atletico Madrid: Player ratings as holders edge first leg | OneFootball

Real Madrid edged the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie against capital rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 on Tuesday night.

It didn't take long for this eagerly anticipated tie to burst into life as Rodrygo broke the deadlock inside four minutes with an emphatic left-footed effort after bursting in behind Javi Galan.

The Brazilian was the star of the show in the opening stages with the hosts starting the far better of the two teams. However, Atletico did start to find somewhat of a groove after 20 minutes, and they forced Federico Valverde into a superb back-post clearance from a dangerous Giuliano Simeone cross.

The visitors then restored parity on the night thanks to a wonderful strike from the in-form Julian Alvarez, who channelled his inner Harry Kane from the March 2016 north London derby - only he didn't have a mask to whip off in celebration.

The pendulum swung back in Madrid's favour at the start of the second half as Brahim Diaz placed an excellent finish past Jan Oblak after some tidy work in the Atleti box. The visitors then struggled to muster much of a response as the hosts entered cruise control after Luka Modric's arrival. Courtois was forced into no late action, and Madrid will have a 2-1 lead to protect next Wednesday. They may well have extended their lead had Kylian Mbappe produced a better cross for Vinicius Junior in stoppage time.

Real Madrid player ratings (4-2-3-1)

Madrid celebrate Rodrygo's early opener / Aitor Alcalde/GettyImages

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Subs not used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Fran Gonzalez (GK), Fran Garcia, David Alaba, Arda Guler.

Atletico Madrid player ratings (4-4-2)

Julian Alvarez equalised in the first half with a wonderful goal / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages

*Ratings provided by FotMob*

Subs not used: Juan Musso (GK), Antonio Gomis (GK), Axel Witsel, Reinildo, Rodrigo Riquelme, Thomas Lemar.