Real Madrid dispatched rivals Atletico Madrid in the derby in a boost ahead of next week's Champions League.
Gareth Bale added some gloss to the scoreline, with Casemiro and Sergio Ramos' penalty also doing the damage.
A weakened Atletico side, without Koke and Diego Costa, equalised through Antoine Griezmann, but it was not enough.
Thomas Partey was also sent off to compound their misery as they dropped down to third in La Liga.
It's will be a hostile reception for Thibaut Courtois, who is persona non grata among Atletico fans.
They have even vandalised his plaque outside the Wanda Metropolitano, including toy rats.
The Belgian's start to life with Real Madrid has not been smooth and Atletico will hope the extra loud whistles can unsettle him enough to make a mistake.
Team news will be with us shortly.
Solari will know a result here will set them up nicely for the Champions League and the return leg vs Barcelona.
Avoiding defeat at the home of their two biggest rivals inside a couple of days would be a commendable.
Griezmann enjoying his pre-match mate as the players arrive.
The French forward was included inside the top 10 best paid players in the world in L'Equipe's annual financial report.
Griezmann is third, picking up £2.9m per month.
Alvaro Morata starts against his former club.
Atletico XI: Oblak; Arias, Giménez, Godín; Lucas Hernández; Correa, Saúl, Thomas, Lemar; Morata, Griezmann
Subs: Adan, Filipe Luis, Juanfran, Rodrigo, Vitolo, Kalinic, Mollejo
No Gareth Bale for Real Madrid, Santi Solari making a bold call.
But Lucas Vasquez, Vinicius and Karim Benzema is a nicely balanced front three.
Real Madrid XI: Courtois, Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Reguilon, Casemiro, Kroos, Modric, Vazquez, Vinicius, Benzema
Subs: Navas, Nacho, Mariano, Bale, Marcelo, Asensio, Ceballos
Atleti fans are soaking up the build-up, one dressed as Bart Simpson.
Just over half an hour until kick-off.
Will Morata be transformed after a woeful spell with Chelsea?
The Metropolitano gave Courtois a hostile welcome.
Will he be able to block out the whistles?
The midfield battle should be intriguing: Saul and Thomas up against the three of Madrid - Casemiro, Kroos and Modric.
Still no Koke or Diego Costa for Atleti, but their squad is now plenty deep enough to compete without a couple of their best players.
With Morata's contribution yet unknown, the burden will likely fall on Griezmann to produce.
The players are out, here we go!
Atleti unveil a huge banner: "Madrid born and bred and Rojiblanco."
It's a lively atmosphere, this one could be key in the title race.
Real are perhaps too far back, but Atleti can certainly shift the pressure to Barcelona.
A minute's silence for Atleti legend Isacio Calleja, who passed away a few days ago.
Some fans are applauding the former defender.
Courtois is receiving abuse but also being pelted by toy rats.
Meanwhile Atleti remain on top.
Though there's some respite for Real after Arias goes in hard on Reguilon.
Still all Atleti, who are penning Real into their own half right now.
One-touch football from the hosts, but all in comfortable areas of the pitch for the visitors.
Thomas with an effort on goal after Vinicius gives it away. He combines with Griezmann, but Carvajal nudges him as he shoots and it drifts wide.
GOAL! Atletico 0-1 Real Madrid (Casemiro)
Crunching tackle from Lemar on Carvajal!
Benzema burst through the Atleti midfield and had Vinicius over, but he opted to move it right and the chance was wasted.
Suddenly Casemiro puts the visitors ahead, reacting well to smash home a bicycle kick from close range!
Vinicius with a stunning cross, picks out Lucas with a wonderful outside-of-the-boot pass.
But Lucas can't convert, huge let-off for Atleti!
Griezmann in the book after tripping Casemiro.
GOAL! Atletico 1-1 Real Madrid (Griezmann)
Griezmann slides home the equaliser through Courtois' legs, magic finish.
But VAR will have a look, a possible foul from Correa on Vinicius? It would be soft.
Offside? No, it's given!
The atmosphere has just gone up a notch.
This one is a thriller.
Casemiro gets revenge on Griezmann by returning the foul he received moments before the equaliser.
Morata in hard on Carvajal. He has bought in already to Simeone's ways.
Such a cool head fro Griezmann, but would Navas have saved it? Courtois routinely beaten through his legs.
The crowd have responded, it's rocking here.
GOAL! Atletico 1-2 Real Madrid (Ramos)
Vinicius was too much for Gimenez, pace and power in off the left and he was tripped.
No Panenka this time, slotted home firmly and into the corner.
And breathe!
It's half-time at the Wanda and Real lead 2-1.
Vinicius has been superb, he's made the difference for the visitors and causing a lot of problems.
VAR has played its part too, awarding Griezmann's equaliser and not chalking off the penalty earned by Vinicius after Gimenez's challenge.
Relive the game as it happened above.
