Real Madrid 3-2 Atletico Madrid: Ademola Lookman breaks 11-year jinx, but Los Colchoneros fall

Super Eagles attacker Ademola Lookman was on the scoresheet for Atletico Madrid in their 3-2 loss to Real Madrid on Sunday, Afrik-Foot reports.

​After starring in Atleti’s midweek clash at Tottenham, Lookman retained his place in the starting eleven for the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu to take on rivals and neighbours Real Madrid.

​Whenever these two sides meet, the expectation is always positive, attacking football, and that is exactly what unfolded on the night.

​Both teams started brightly, going all out for an early opener. The home team had the first real sight of goal when Dani Carvajal’s half-volley was comfortably gathered by Juan Musso.

Following that, a string of good chances fell to Federico Valverde, Marcos Llorente, Arda Guler, and Vinicius Junior, but they failed to capitalize.

​However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 33rd minute through Ademola Lookman.

The Super Eagles star initiated a swift move from the left, playing a neat interchange of passes with Giovanni Simeone in the box to go one-on-one with Andriy Lunin. He made no mistake from close range, slotting a low shot into the bottom-left corner to make it 1-0.

​Real Madrid did not take the setback lightly, pouncing forward in search of an equalizer before the break. Aurelien Tchouameni, Arda Guler, and Valverde all had opportunities, but a lack of cutting edge saw those chances go begging.

​The second half was when the floodgates truly opened. Los Merengues were awarded a penalty in the 51st minute after David Hancko was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box. Vinicius Junior stepped up and converted to level the score at 1-1.

​Sensing blood, Real Madrid went for the kill and turned the game on its head just three minutes later through Valverde.

​Shortly after, Diego Simeone withdrew Lookman—who had been quiet since the restart—replacing him with Nahuel Molina in a tactical shift for Los Colchoneros.

​It took just nine minutes for the change to pay off. Molina, Lookman’s replacement, unleashed a piledriver that whistled into the net to make it 2-2 in the 66th minute.

​However, the joy was short-lived. Real Madrid struck again through Vinicius in the 72nd minute to restore their lead at 3-2.

​Atleti were handed a late lifeline when Valverde was shown a straight red card for a reckless tackle. But despite a late onslaught, they lacked the clinical touch in the final third to take advantage. The match eventually ended 3-2 in Real Madrid’s favour.

​Which Record Did Ademola Lookman Break Against Real Madrid?

​With his strike against Real Madrid, Ademola Lookman became only the eighth Atletico Madrid player to score in his first La Liga derby of the 21st century—and the first to do so since Luciano Vietto in October 2015.

​The goal is another feather in his cap following his €35 million move during the January transfer window.

​While he couldn’t help his side secure a victory, Lookman will be hoping to carry this individual momentum into the international break.

​Nigeria is set to face Iran and Jordan in two international friendlies, and coach Eric Chelle will certainly be banking on the Super Eagles star to deliver the goods.