Vinicius strikes twice as Real Madrid edge Atletico 3-2 in pulsating derby

Vinicius scores twice as Real Madrid triumphs 3-2 over Atletico in a thrilling Madrid derby.

Vinicius Jr scored ​twice as Real Madrid fought back to beat visitors Atletico Madrid 3-2 in a breathless Spanish capital derby on ‌Sunday, keeping Alvaro Arbeloa's side within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona.

Billed as a ​relatively low-key Madrid derby, with Atletico sitting a distant fourth in the table, the match ⁠instead delivered a five-goal spectacle between the rivals.

It had everything — stunning goals from both sides and a straight red card to Real captain Federico Valverde that reduced the hosts to 10 men in the dying minutes.

Atletico's Ademola Lookman opened ‌the scoring in the 33rd minute, finishing a slick counter-attack involving Matteo Ruggeri and a delightful backheel from Giuliano Simeone.

Vinicius equalised from the penalty spot in the 52nd minute after ‌David Hancko clumsily tripped Brahim Diaz, and Valverde capitalised on a Jose Maria Gimenez error three ‌minutes ⁠later to make it 2-1 to Real.

Nahuel Molina silenced Real's Bernabeu stadium with a thunderous ⁠30-metre strike in the 66th minute, but Vinicius restored Real's lead with a cracking solo effort six minutes later.