It was a team much changed from the side that challenged Real Madrid in the Champions League final four months ago, partly due to big money departures such as Diego Costa and Filipe Luis, as well as Thibaut Courtois returning to Chelsea, but Atlético came out of the Bernabeu triumphant.
However, Atlético took the lead early on, Tiago heading in at the near post from Koke's corner. Ten minutes gone and the Bernabeu was stunned; the fifty rojiblancos fans roared. The champions were in front, despite having limited possession.
Real had half-chances of their own, but failed to make their pressure pay. Pepe had a header easily saved by Moya from a James Rodríguez corner and when Ronaldo won a costless kick on the edge of the area, the home fans sat on the edge of their seats. Bale, Ronaldo and James stood over it; a terrifying prospect for any 'keeper. The Welshman took it and it brought a fine one-handed save from Moya to deny him.
Five minutes later, though, and Ronaldo had pulled Real level from the penalty spot after Siqueira had brought him down - his tumble was theatrical to say the least, but the referee agreed with Ronaldo's protests.
Six minutes before half time, Ronaldo jinxed inside from the right and dinked the ball into the box. Benzema met it with a powerful header, yet Moya made another good save to keep the scores level going into the break. Real had been much the better side, but Atlético and their traditional Simeone style had held their own so far.
Real started the second half brightly but the half took a while to get up to speed. Los Blancos were happy to keep possession on the half-way line whilst their final ball lacked incisiveness. On the hour mark, Juanfran headed a corner onto the roof of Casillas' net, whilst Javier Hernandez came on for Benzema to make his debut for Carlo Ancelotti's side. Simeone watched on from the stands, uncomfortable with being so far from the action.
Real's expensive front four tried everything but could not break down a resolute Atlético defence. Ronaldo leapt well to meet Arbeloa's cross but his header flew over Moya's crossbar, whilst Isco came on to replace world record signing Gareth Bale. At the other end, Arda Turan cut in from the left and fired in a shot narrowly wide, making Real aware that Simeone's men were still dangerous.
Isco then curled a shot into the crowd and the game seemed to finally heating up with fifteen minutes to play. Some great play down the Atleti right between substitute Griezmann and Juanfran, with the latter playing a low cross into the Real area which is dummied by Raul García before being swept home by Arda Turan. The visitors had the lead again, after being the better side in the previous ten minutes. The pressure was all on Carlo Ancelotti now and he responded by bringing on Raphael Varane for Arbeloa. That goal provoked an eruption of joy from Diego Simeone, who jumped and banged on the glass and embraced his son - who was wearing an Atlético shirt.
After that, however, Real rarely threatened Moya's goal and Atlético were able to secure another Madrileño derby win, and it is a huge statement from the reigning champions with back-to-back wins over their arch-rivals in the Bernabeu, moving up to second place behind Barcelona. This is also Real Madrid's worst start to a season in twelve years, with much work ahead for Ancelotti.