Atlético and Real Madrid Battle for Top Spot in LaLiga Derby with Near-Perfect Records

The Metropolitano is gearing up for another chapter of a derby that rarely disappoints. This Sunday, September 20, Atlético Madrid and Real Madrid meet in Matchday 7 of LaLiga 2026/2027, and this time there's an extra layer of intrigue: both sides arrive with near-perfect records and their sights set on first place.

Kickoff for South American fans is set for 11:15 a.m. (Argentina, Chile and Uruguay) and 9:15 a.m. (Colombia, Peru and Ecuador). Those looking to watch live can do so through the Premium Plan on Disney+, available only in the region.

Why pay attention to this match beyond what a Madrid derby always represents? Because both teams have looked sharp in the early going this season, and because when Atlético and Real Madrid meet, recent history suggests boring games are hard to come by.

How the Two Teams Arrive

Diego Simeone's Atlético is riding a strong run of form, confirmed by a 4-0 thrashing of Osasuna last matchday. That result left them with 13 points through six games, backed by a defense that's proving increasingly hard to break down.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, arrives off a tight but effective win: 3-2 over Elche, a result that pushed them to 15 points and firmly into the mix for the top spots.

The Players Who Could Make the Difference

At Atlético, the defensive solidity has a name: Cristian "Cuti" Romero and Marc Pubill are the pillars holding down the back line, while in midfield Marcos Llorente and Giuliano Simeone give the Colchoneros the explosiveness they need to break through opposing lines.

Real Madrid, for its part, leans on a frontline that frightens any opponent: Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior and Jude Bellingham make up that elite attacking trio, with steady contributions from captain Fede Valverde, always on hand to help out whether in attack or in defensive recovery.

What Happened in Their Last Meeting

Recent memory favors Real Madrid. The last meeting between these two sides came on March 22, 2026, at the Santiago Bernabéu, in Matchday 29 of last season. On that occasion, Real Madrid won 3-2 with a brace from Vinícius Júnior and a goal from Valverde, while Ademola Lookman and Nahuel Molina scored for Atlético in the loss.

Now home advantage shifts, with the Metropolitano hosting this time around. Atlético will look to reverse that recent trend and, in doing so, make a statement in the standings against a rival that gives nothing away.