Dolphins Triumph Over Commanders 16-13 in Overtime in Madrid

The Miami Dolphins secured a thrilling 16-13 overtime victory against the Washington Commanders in the first NFL regular-season game held in Spain on November 26, 2023. The match took place at the iconic Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, drawing a vibrant crowd of 78,610 fans eager to witness this historic event.

The decisive moment came when Dolphins cornerback Jack Jones intercepted a pass from Marcus Mariota on the first offensive play of overtime. Following the turnover, Riley Patterson converted a 29-yard field goal, sealing the win for Miami and improving their record to 4-7.

Washington had an opportunity to clinch the game in regulation. With just 15 seconds remaining, kicker Matt Gay attempted a challenging 56-yard field goal, but the kick veered wide right, allowing the Dolphins to push the game into overtime. The Commanders, now at 3-8, faced their seventh consecutive loss, a streak that included a 44-22 defeat at the hands of the Detroit Lions the previous week.

Throughout the game, Miami faced challenges, particularly on fourth-and-goal situations. They were stopped twice, including a critical moment in the final two minutes after recovering a muffed punt return by the Commanders. Despite these setbacks, the Dolphins managed to maintain their composure and capitalize on the Commanders’ mistakes.

In a notable incident during the game, Mariota briefly exited in the third quarter for evaluation following a potential concussion. He had fallen awkwardly while trying to throw the ball away in his own end zone. Fortunately, he passed the concussion protocol and returned to finish the game.

This match marked the seventh and final international game of the NFL’s season, a record number for the league as it seeks to expand its global audience. The halftime show featured performances by Puerto Rican artist Daddy Yankee and Argentine producer Bizarrap, adding to the festive atmosphere of the historic event.

Looking ahead, the Dolphins will enjoy a bye week before returning to action against the New Orleans Saints on November 30, while the Commanders will also have a week off before hosting the Denver Broncos on the same date.

As the NFL continues to broaden its reach, the successful staging of this game in Madrid highlights the growing popularity of American football worldwide.