Real kicked off with just three of their eight summer signings in their starting line-up - Dutch duo Royston Drenthe and Sneijder, plus Brazilian centre-back Pepe.

Atletico also had three new faces on show at the outset, with Diego Forlan, Raul Garcia and Simao Sabrosa all making their league debuts for the Rojiblancos.

The tone was set for an enthralling match when Atletico took the lead inside the opening minute through Sergio Aguero, but Real hit back to take the points through goals from Raul and Wesley Sneijder.