Courtois’ penalty struggles continue as only one of his last 16 is saved

Thibaut Courtois’ difficult record against penalties continued in Real Madrid’s derby meeting with Atletico Madrid, after Grimaldo converted from the spot in Sunday’s La Liga match.

The penalty was awarded after Hancko sent a cross into the Real Madrid area for Giuliano Simeone. The Atletico Madrid forward was challenged by Real Madrid defender Dean Huijsen and went to ground, prompting referee Ortiz Arias to point to the spot.

Grimaldo took responsibility and made no mistake, sending the ball past Courtois to put Atletico Madrid ahead shortly after the start of the second half.

The goal gave Atletico Madrid the lead in the capital derby, but it also underlined Courtois’ recent problems when facing penalties. The Belgian goalkeeper’s record in that area has declined significantly in recent months.

According to French statistical outlet Stats Foot, Courtois has saved only one of the last 16 penalties awarded against him for Real Madrid in competitive matches.

Opponents have scored the other 15 penalties in that sequence, leaving Courtois with just one successful save from those 16 attempts.

The latest spot-kick came with Real Madrid reduced to 10 men, according to the beIN SPORTS match caption, which described Grimaldo’s penalty as the goal that broke the deadlock at the Metropolitano.