MADRID (Interstat) — In a dramatic overtime contest played before a vibrant international crowd, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Washington Commanders 16-13 on Sunday at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

A crowd of 78,610 witnessed a defensive struggle defined by missed opportunities and a final, decisive drive in the extra period. The loss dropped Washington to 3-8 on the season, while Miami improved to 4-7.

The game was a far cry from the offensive shootout many anticipated, with both teams combining for a total score of 29 points, well under the pregame over/under line of 47.5. The result also defied pregame projections, as Washington had been a slight 2.5-point favorite according to oddsmakers and held a 55 percent probability to win according to Interstat’s ELO system.

The contest was a tale of two quarterbacks with Hawaiian roots, but it was the ground game and a stalwart defensive effort that ultimately decided the outcome. Miami’s De’Von Achane was the engine of the Dolphins’ offense, rushing for 120 yards on 21 carries and adding 45 yards on five receptions.

Washington’s Marcus Mariota delivered a valiant performance in the losing effort, completing 20 of 30 passes for 213 yards and a touchdown while also leading his team in rushing with 49 yards on four scrambles. His primary target was Deebo Samuel, who caught seven passes for 74 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter.

The first half was a grinding affair dominated by field goals. Miami struck first with a 46-yard kick from Riley Patterson on their opening drive. Washington answered with a 26-yard field goal from Matt Gay late in the first quarter. The Commanders then took a 6-3 lead just before halftime on another Gay field goal, this time from 30 yards.

Washington extended its lead early in the third quarter. Mariota connected with Samuel on a 20-yard touchdown pass, capping a efficient 75-yard drive to give the Commanders a 13-3 advantage.

Miami responded with a methodical drive of its own, but the Washington defense stiffened inside the 10-yard line, forcing the Dolphins to settle for a 39-yard Patterson field goal, cutting the deficit to 13-6.

The Dolphins finally found the end zone early in the fourth quarter. A sustained drive was finished off by Ollie Gordon II, who plunged in from one yard out. Patterson’s extra point tied the game at 13, which would hold through the remainder of regulation.

Washington had a golden opportunity to win the game as time expired in the fourth quarter. A frantic final drive, fueled by a 44-yard scramble by Mariota and a 25-yard reception by Jacoby Jones, set up a 56-yard field goal attempt for Gay. The kick sailed wide right, sending the game to overtime.

In the extra period, Miami’s defense forced a quick Washington punt. The Dolphins then orchestrated a game-winning drive, powered by Achane’s relentless running. The possession culminated in a 33-yard field goal from Patterson, his third of the day, to secure the victory for Miami.

While Mariota’s dual-threat ability kept Washington in the game, his counterpart, Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa, managed the game efficiently. Tagovailoa completed 14 of 20 passes for 171 yards, avoiding turnovers and relying heavily on his running backs in the passing game.

The Miami defense was led by a phenomenal tackling performance from linebacker Jordyn Brooks, who recorded 20 total tackles. The unit consistently pressured Mariota and bottled up the Washington running game outside of Mariota’s scrambles, holding Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. to 79 yards on 15 carries.

The game, part of the NFL’s International Series, provided a thrilling, if low-scoring, spectacle for the fans in Madrid. Washington will look to rebound next Sunday when it hosts the Denver Broncos. Miami will return home to face the New Orleans Saints next Sunday.