Higuain penalty breaks Atletico hearts as Real go top

Argentine Gonzalo Higuain scored a penalty five minutes into stoppage time as Real Madrid went top with a 2-1 win over neighbours Atletico on Saturday in a stormy derby where both sides finished with 10 men.

Portuguese winger Simao thought he had salvaged a point after curling in a 90th minute free-kick to cancel out Ruud van Nistelrooy's opener after just 32 seconds but there was a twist to come.

Higuain converted a penalty in the 95th minute at the Vicente Calderon to crush Atletico's spirits ahead of Wednesday's Champions League duel against Liverpool.

It also continued Atletico's jinx against their city rivals who they have not beaten since 1999.

“It is devastating to concede a goal in the first minute and another one in the 95th,” admitted Atletico coach Javier Aguirre.

“I don't think there is a mental problem but now we have to pick the players up for the Liverpool game on Wednesday. We are doing well in the Champions League and this game deserves our full attention.”

Real are in Champions League action against Juventus on Tuesday and manager Bernd Schuster saluted his team's ability to play to the final whistle.

“We showed throughout that we were capable of scoring and in the end we did it,” said Schuster.

“I think it was a fair result even if it was a penalty in the final minute. That happens in football and as the saying goes the game is not over until the referee blows his final whistle.”

After just 32 seconds, van Nistelrooy caught Atletico napping with a drilled shot to put Real ahead but the Dutchman's day went sour on 38 minutes when he was red-carded for a late tackle on Maniche.

“The van Nistelrooy sending off was clearly to even things up,” added Schuster. “After this decision the game changed and it breathed life into Atletico.”

Eight minutes earlier Atletico had also been reduced to ten men when referee Clos Gomez claimed Colombian defender Luis Perea caught Wesley Sneijder with a stray arm.

Simao equalised with but Higuain had the final say in a game that had the spectators on the edge of their seats.

Confidence was low following Atletico's 6-1 rout by Barcelona and Aguirre was relieved to welcome back first teamers Maniche and Diego Forlan.

Atletico were desperate not to concede an ealy goal after the Barca debacle – when they conceded three goals in the first eight minutes – but that plan went out the window with van Nistelrooy scoring after just 32 seconds.

The former Manchester United man caught goalkeeper Leo Franco off guard with a fierce snapshot. Then on three minutes Sneijder fizzed in a shot that Franco tipped on to the crossbar.

It was a frantic opening and van Nistelrooy thought he had made it 2-0 after 20 minutes but the effort was controversially ruled out for offside.

Minutes later Raul had the ball in the net only to be flagged offside in another tight decision.

Already against it Atletico gave themselves a mountain to climb when Perea was red-carded for catching Sneijder. It was hard to tell whether it was intentional but the referee had no doubt and brandished a straight red.

Eight minutes later the numbers were evened up when van Nistelrooy was issued his marching orders.

A late tackle on Maniche – who turned on the theatrics – saw Gomez pull out a red card when a yellow seemed more appropriate.

Simao thought he had saved Atletico from the jaws of defeat with his free-kick but Atletico stupidly conceded a late spot-kick and Higuain's penalty crept past the unlucky Franco.

Later unbeaten Villarreal have the chance to displace Real at the summit when they travel to Espanyol. Villarreal, level on points with Real, need just a draw to go top.