REAL MADRID extended their lead at the top of LaLiga after Karim Benzema settled a hard-fought Madrid derby.
Zinedine Zidane proved his managerial credentials at half-time after a double change helped inspire the hosts to move six points clear of rivals Barcelona.
Karim Benzema opened the scoring for Real MadridCredit: Reuters
Benzema couldn’t miss in front of the home fansCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The hosts were second best by far in the first period with the goal-shy visitors squandering a number of opportunities.
Vitolo had the best of the bunch when he and Alvaro Morata worked it brilliantly inside the box before his strike crashed the outside of the post.
Real registered just one shot on target that came from Luka Modric right at the end of the half.
Zidane bravely hooked off both Toni Kroos and the anonymous Isco in favour of Vinicius Jr and Lucas Vazquez to add width to their attacks.
With both Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale ruled it, Brazilian wonderkid Vinicius stepped up to the plate and played a key role in the winner.
He held up the ball brilliantly before playing a pass into the path of the onrushing Ferland Mendy at left-back.
His pin-point cross found the Frenchman in the box who couldn’t miss from six-yards to score his 13th league goal of the campaign.
Atletico have scored just 22 goals in as many league games and they struggled to create anything as they attempted to bag an equaliser.
Boss Diego Simeone was also without a host of stars including Koke, Diego Costa and club-record signing Joao Felix which hampered his team selection.
A defeat leaves them 13 points adrift of their rivals and now they’ll have to turn their attentions to the Champions League where they’ll come up against reigning champions Liverpool.
Atletico had their chances in the first halfCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Vinicius Jr provided the spark needed to help break the deadlockCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Real Madrid boss Zidane rules out any January transfer for Gareth Bale to Tottenham
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
