BARCELONA — The cheers were back for Vinicius Junior at the Santiago Bernabeu after the Real Madrid forward scored twice in a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday, keeping his team in the thick of the La Liga title race.

Vinicius had to endure jeers from Madrid's fans earlier this season following the firing of coach Xabi Alonso and some embarrassing losses.

But, as the results have improved, so has Vinicius' reception from Madrid's supporters. Los Blancos have reached a high mark under new coach Alvaro Arbeloa with the win over Atletico — after a humiliating 5-2 loss in September — and the elimination of Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in the Champions League.

And Vinicius has rightfully deserved some of the credit for the team's recent improvement in form, as he has helped lead Madrid, along with midfielder Federico Valverde, while stars Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were out injured.

Vinicius converted a penalty in the 52nd minute to cancel out Ademola Lookman's first-half opener for Atletico, before the speedy Madrid forward grabbed the winner with a curling strike in the 72nd.

"Another great game by Vini, it was an example of his character, his talent. It was a great goal that gave us a win in a difficult moment. I am lucky to have him on my team," Arbeloa said. "We remain in the league fight. Mission accomplished."

Surprisingly, the goals were Vinicius' first against Atletico in La Liga after 12 scoreless derbies for the player. He had scored once before against Atletico in the Copa del Rey.

"I have worked hard all season for games like this," Vinicius said. "I don't know why, but when this time of the season arrives, the goals and assists just flow."

Madrid had to hold on for the last 12 minutes when Valverde, who had scored to make it 2-1 before Nahuel Molina leveled for Atletico, got a direct red card for a tough-looking challenge on Alex Baena, who, in 2023, accused Valverde of assaulting him after a game.

The sending-off almost cost Madrid when Julian Alvarez got free and hit the post with 10 minutes left to play.

But Arbeloa's team saw out the final minutes to ensure second-placed Madrid stayed within four points of Barcelona with nine games remaining.

Lookman made it five goals since joining Atletico from Atalanta in the winter transfer window when Giuliano Simeone used an exquisite touch off the side of his boot to leave the Nigeria striker free to score in the 33rd.

Madrid had to wait until after the break to turn things around. Vinicius equalized from the spot after Brahim Diaz was fouled in the box by David Hancko. Valverde then won the ball from Jose Gimenez and made it 2-1 in the 55th, extending his league scoring run to three straight games, in addition to his recent European hat-trick against City.

Atletico had looked finished, but Molina came off the bench to lash in a long strike in the 66th before Vinicius restored Madrid's advantage for good.

He came in from the left flank and curled home the decider as Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal cheered from the VIP section of the Santiago Bernabeu.

"We could have done more in attack, and hopefully that can serve us for important games ahead," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said, referring to his side's upcoming Champions League quarterfinal matches against Barcelona and its Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad.

Bellingham played the final 15 minutes in his first action since injuring a hamstring in his left leg last month.

Mbappe joined in the 64th as he works his way back into form following a knee injury.

Neither side had its first-choice keepers between the posts, with both out injured. Andriy Lunin started for Madrid in place of Thibaut Courtois, while Juan Musso wore the gloves for Atletico in Jan Oblak's absence.

Garcia shines for Barca

Barcelona edged Rayo Vallecano 1-0 at Camp Nou earlier Sunday to keep up its winning form before the international break.

Ronald Araujo headed in the game's only goal in the 24th minute from a corner, and goalkeeper Joan Garcia's impressive performance showed why he is most likely heading to the World Cup with Spain.

"This is why we bought him," coach Hansi Flick said about Garcia. Barcelona paid crosstown rival Espanyol 25 million euros ($28.9 million) for Garcia last summer.

Garcia was included in Spain's squad for the first time on Friday ahead of two friendly matches which will serve as warm-up games for this summer's World Cup.