Real Madrid were denied victory over Atletico Madrid after conceding in the 95th minute of Sunday’s La Liga game.
A close and tense game that almost swung the way for the Whites, who took the lead midway through the second half before falling behind in stoppage time.
The match was temporarily suspended during the second half due to crowd problems among the ultras at the home end, but the visitors were able to cover the noise and take the three points.
The two teams at least closed the gap on league leaders Barcelona, who defeated Osasuna 4-2 on Saturday.
How the game developed
Thibaut Courtois was forced into a save on ten minutes when Alexander Sorloth held on to play from Julian Alvarez, who beat Antonio Rudiger before being denied by the big Belgian at the near post.
Full-back Jan Oblak had to be alert soon after when Federico Valverde let fly from distance, with the Slovenian throwing an arm to push his shot to safety.
The visitors struggled to get their forwards into the game but were allowed a rare sight of goal when Jude Bellingham had a second or so to get on the edge of the box but Oblak also equalize this time.
Madrid went closest in the second half when a well-worked corner routine led to Rodrygo taking a free-kick from 20 yards, only for his shot to whistle wide.
And just after the hour mark, Atlético scored their first home goal of the new La Liga season. A clever free-kick saw Luka Modric deflect Vinicius Junior, whose cross over the defense found Eder Militao, and his half-volley deflected off Marcos Llorente’s knee.
Play was suspended in the 69th minute after Atlético fans, behind Courtois’ goals, threw missiles onto the pitch, with the game resuming just over 15 minutes later.
The first chance after the restart came when Vinicius raced into Atlético’s backline and unleashed a fierce shot into the corner. Once again, Oblak came to the hosts’ rescue.
At the other end, Samuel Lino turned away from Dani Carvajal and Militao before firing on goal, with Courtois stretching high to thwart his effort.
Endrick almost scored his first Madrid derby with a fabulous ball from 25 yards, only for the ball to drift wide of the near post.
Atlético thought they had equalized in the 95th minute when Angel Correa slotted the ball past Courtois, with the goal initially ruled out for offside. However, after a VAR check with the semi-automated offside decision system, the strike was allowed to stand to send Civitas Metropolitano into a frenzy.
Llorente was sent off for a terrible challenge on Fran Garcia soon after, but Madrid didn’t have enough time to make that one-man advantage count and the spoils were shared.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6/10 – He gave stick to fans who used to chant his name after Militao’s first goal, which later saw Atlético fans throwing missiles at him. Otherwise, he made a couple of good saves late in the day before being rounded out by Correa.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10 – The master of the dark arts did it again when derby newcomer Julian Alvarez played on the left for Atlético. He often aggravated himself in the opposing penalty area to try to appear with a goal.
CB: Eder Militao – 7/10 – A bit nervous when in possession and under pressure, but those jittery nerves evaporated when he smashed home past Oblak. He couldn’t get to Correa before nailing the ball in for the equalizer.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 6/10 – He wasn’t afraid to go to war for Madrid when he tried to make space on a set piece. A bit more composed on the ball than his centre-back partner.
LB: Ferland Mendy – 6/10 – One of Mendy’s quieter games, but perhaps that says a lot about how little he was really worried about Atlético’s right side.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 6/10 – One of the most calm and collected bosses when Atlético was doing everything possible to overwhelm Madrid with their aggression.
CM: Federico Valverde – 6/10 – Popped in here and there with the odd change of play or drive from distance. Needed in midfield to match Atlético’s energy.
CM: Luka Modric – 6/10 – The veteran’s aging legs looked noticeable at times, but he still had the intelligence and awareness to spot the free Vinicius that led to the decisive goal.
AM: Jude Bellingham – 6/10 – He drifted all over the midfield to advance the ball and drag Madrid out of trouble. However, he didn’t have much of a say in the final third.
CF: Rodrygo – 6/10 – The propensity of Madrid’s players to cluster down the left channel meant that Rodrygo often had free space to operate on his side. Unfortunately, this time he couldn’t get a goal.
CF: Vinicius Junior – 7/10 – It’s amazing that despite all the attention he’s brought to the derby focused on the vile racist attacks some Atlético ultras were planning to make against Vinicius, he’s managed to cut through the noise and even demanded to take the game into his own hands . Rewarded for his efforts with Militao’s assistance.
Substitutes
SUB: Lucas Vázquez (86′ for Modric) – N/A
SUB: Endrick (87′ for Endrick) – N/A
SUB: Fran Garcia (90′ for Rodrygo) – N/A
Subs not used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Fran Gonzalez (GK), Jesus Vallejo, Jacobo Ramon, Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler
manager
Carlo Ancelotti – 6/10 – Madrid wasn’t glamorous or captivating, and in the end that proved to be their downfall. The one-goal advantage was not enough due to the pressure that Atlético put under.
