Real Madrid lost the derby to Atletico this weekend, but Jose Mourinho's focus was on the refereeing postgame, not the result. Plus: Can Arsenal shake off a deservedly heavy defeat at Brighton?

Gabriele Marcotti Sep 21, 2026, 02:01 AM ET. The last European soccer weekend before the international break is done, and we have a lot to talk about. We begin in La Liga with the Madrid derby. Jose Mourinho is back on the sideline for Real Madrid and we got a throwback feel, with fouls, a red card and contentious refereeing decisions overshadowing a 2-1 win for Atletico Madrid that helps Barcelona -- whose 3-1 victory at Sevilla takes them five points clear after seven games -- most of all.

The big shock in the Premier League was Brighton's masterful 3-0 drubbing of defending champs Arsenal, as comprehensive as the scoreline suggests. Will Gunners boss Mikel Arteta shake it off quickly? Elsewhere, talking points for Inter Milan and Roma (2-2 draw), Manchester United (draw at Fulham), Borussia Dortmund (perfect in Bundesliga), Liverpool (another goal for Alexander Isak!), and more.

Madrid derby reopens a familiar can of worms. Real Madrid lose. Some big decisions go against them. Mourinho talks about the officiating -- referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias ("felt the pressure") and VAR Daniel Jesus Trujillo Suarez ("he has a history with us") -- and we end up not talking about Atletico's win or Real Madrid being six points behind league-leading Barcelona even though it's still September.