Real Madrid managed to secure a 1-1 draw against city rivals Atletico Madrid in a gripping La Liga clash at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
Kylian Mbappe struck in the second half to cancel out Julian Alvarez’s first-half penalty, ensuring Los Blancos remained atop the league with 50 points, just one ahead of second-placed Atletico.
Barcelona, sitting third with 45 points, have the opportunity to narrow the gap when they face Sevilla on Sunday.
The derby unfolded as a game of two contrasting halves. Atletico dominated the first 45 minutes and drew first blood in the 35th minute when Julian Alvarez coolly converted a penalty after Aurelien Tchouameni’s foul on Samuel Lino.
Diego Simeone’s side, boasting the best defensive record across Europe’s top five leagues, kept Real’s attack at bay in the opening period, with the home team failing to register a single shot on target.
Despite the absence of key defender Robin Le Normand due to suspension, Atletico’s defense remained impenetrable.
Lino and Alvarez terrorized Real’s backline, consistently exploiting weaknesses on the left flank, where Lucas Vazquez and Tchouameni struggled to contain them.
Tensions flared in the 25th minute when Atletico players vehemently protested a studs-up challenge by Dani Ceballos on Pablo Barrios, demanding a red card.
Referee Cesar Soto Grado, however, deemed it only worthy of a yellow. Just minutes later, their persistence paid off when Tchouameni clipped Lino in the box during a swift counter-attack.
Initially missed by the referee, the foul was confirmed after a VAR review, leading to a penalty.
Alvarez stepped up confidently, silencing the Bernabeu crowd with a composed panenka, sending Thibaut Courtois diving low while the ball sailed down the middle.
Atletico missed chances to extend their lead as both Lino and Alvarez wasted golden opportunities, leaving Real with a lifeline.
The hosts returned from the break rejuvenated, with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo injecting urgency into their attack. The equalizer came in the 50th minute when Rodrygo danced past two defenders on the right and delivered a cross to Jude Bellingham.
Though his initial effort was blocked by Jose Maria Gimenez, the ball fell kindly to Mbappe, who made no mistake with the rebound.
Real pressed hard for the winner, but Atletico’s goalkeeper Jan Oblak stood tall, making a series of breathtaking saves to deny close-range efforts from Vinicius, Rodrygo, Mbappe, and Bellingham. Bellingham also saw a powerful strike rattle the crossbar.
Simeone’s Atletico may have rued their missed chances, but they showed once again why they are a formidable defensive force, leaving Real frustrated and settling for a hard-earned point in this enthralling Madrid derby.
