Struggling Espanyol secured a crucial point in their fight for survival after holding third-placed Atlético Madrid to a 1-1 draw in LaLiga on Saturday, thanks to Javi Puado’s penalty equalizer.
Atlético took the lead in the 38th minute when Marash Kumbulla’s attempted clearance of an Antoine Griezmann cross fell kindly to Cesar Azpilicueta.
The defender made no mistake, calmly placing a right-footed shot from outside the box into the net.
Espanyol, sitting 15th in the standings, found their way back into the game in the 71st minute.
Clement Lenglet’s challenge on Leandro Cabrera near the box saw the referee point to the spot, and Puado confidently converted the penalty to restore parity.
The result extended Atlético’s winless streak to three matches, leaving them on 57 points, six adrift of league leaders Barcelona, who still have a game in hand. Espanyol, meanwhile, moved to 29 points, staying just two points clear of the relegation zone.
