Atletico Madrid vs Real Madrid: head-to-head record, recent meetings and what the numbers say

# Snapshot

This brief summarizes the all-time record and recent match history between Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid using the facts reported ahead of their La Liga meeting in September 2026.

# All-time head-to-head

The two clubs have met 244 times. Real Madrid lead the overall head-to-head with 125 wins. Atletico have won 61 matches and the sides have drawn 58 times. The first league fixture between them was in 1928–29, a 2-1 victory for Real.

# La Liga record

They have faced each other 179 times in La Liga. Real have 92 league wins, Atletico 43, and there have been 44 draws at league level.

# European meetings

The clubs have met eight times in the Champions League. Real Madrid have won six of those ties, including both the 2013–14 and 2015–16 Champions League finals.

# Notable individual record

Cristiano Ronaldo is the leading goalscorer in the Madrid derby, with 22 goals scored against Atletico during his time in Spanish football.

# Recent pattern and notable results

• Sept 27, 2025: Atletico 5-2 Real Madrid (La Liga) — a decisive home win for Atletico.
• That result helped Atletico compile a six-game unbeaten run in La Liga meetings with Real, a streak that ended with:
• Mar 22, 2026: Real Madrid 3-2 Atletico (La Liga) — Real ended Atletico's unbeaten run.

The Sept 20, 2026 match included a sending-off: Dean Huijsen was dismissed in the 52nd minute. After the game, Real's manager (named in reports as Jose Mourinho) publicly criticised referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias and presented photographic evidence arguing two Atletico players should have been sent off.

# Recent run of results (selected)

A selection of the last 20 meetings shows a mix of close games and occasional high-scoring affairs: several 1-1 draws at the Bernabéu in 2024–25 and 2025, cup ties and Supercopa fixtures, plus the 5-2 Atletico victory in 2025 and cup wins for both sides. The most recent La Liga meetings (last 10) include three 1-1 draws and Atletico victories in 2023 and 2025–26, with Real winning a few key matches including the March 2026 league fixture.

# What the numbers imply

The long-term record favours Real Madrid, notably in league play and European encounters. Atletico have produced occasional decisive home wins and periods of strong form in the derby (a six-game unbeaten league run spanning 2025–2026). Recent matches remain competitive and can swing on moments such as red cards or late goals.

# Bottom line

Real Madrid hold the historical edge across competitions, but recent fixtures show Atletico capable of high-margin wins and sustained runs of favourable results. Individual matches have produced dramatic episodes — red cards, late strikes and heated post-match reactions — so recent form and match incidents matter when assessing the likely balance for any upcoming derby.