Ademola Lookman got his second league goal for Atletico Madrid and it came in the biggest fixture the Nigerian has been involved in yet, scoring the opener against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Lookman who has been a major inspiration for Diego Simeone’s men since joining from Atalanta, stunned the home crowd just after the half hour mark.
A brilliant touch-and-go pass initiated by the Nigerian winger opened up the Real Madrid defence and a intelligent run inside the box left him open with the goalkeeper at his mercy.
The strike saw Atleti close the half with their noses in front and perhaps spurred their belief for their first league win at the Bernabeu since 2014.
However, Los Blancos sped off the block after the resumption and needed just seven minutes to draw level.
Vinicius Jr. from the spot scored the equalizer before Federico Valverde capitalized on an error to punish the visitors and make it 2-1, three minutes later.
Just before the hour mark, Simeone made a triple change, including subbing off Lookman for Nahuel Molina.
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Molina would then go on to score (66′) and restore some hope for Atleti of getting something from the game, but Vini Jr. showed up again (72′) and grabbed what proved the winner for Raul Arbeloa’s men.
Real Madrid held on for dear life after the goal following Valverde’s sending off in the 77th minute allowing Atleti push for a late equalizer that eventually never came.
Despite the defeat, Atletico Madrid remain fourth in the standings and are 12 points off pace from Real Madrid with nine games left until the end of the season.
