Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético de Madrid: 'draw' in the derby and LaLiga favors Barça

Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid drew in a thrilling match this Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu (1-1). In the hottest derby of recent years due to all the controversy leading up to it (Madrid's complaints, Atlético's 'zingers'...), the result of the first leg was repeated, leaving LaLiga more open than ever with 16 matches left to play. In the end, the result favored the interests of a Barça that could close to just 2 points from the lead if they defeat Sevilla this Sunday (21:00 h).

The match started with a much slower pace than expected. Madrid struggled to integrate their attacking trio, with an erratic Vinicius and a disconnected Mbappé. Rodrygo was the most incisive from the start, and although the 'merengue' midfield imposed itself with physicality and skill thanks to the work of Ceballos and Valverde, Carlo Ancelotti's side would end the first half without a shot on goal. Jude Bellingham also didn't contribute much, while Atlético created problems on the counter.

Unprecedented this season: a penalty against Real Madrid

Lino and Barrios warned with a couple of long-range shots in the first half hour. Just when the 30th minute was reached, VAR alerted to a clear stomp by Tchouaméni on Lino and, after a couple of minutes of review, the main referee Soto Grado had no choice but to signal the foul. For the first time in the 2024-25 season, Madrid suffered a penalty against them. The balance before the derby was simply scandalous: 10 penalties in favor and none against.

For Atlético, it was the first favorable penalty in a derby in 15 years and Julián Álvarez took the shot with the class that characterizes him. The Argentine gently chipped the ball while Courtois dove to his left side. In 35 minutes, the 'colchoneros' took the lead, a lead they maintained without too much trouble until halftime.

Insufficient reaction from Madrid in the second half

However, Madrid reacted immediately after the match resumed. In the 50th minute, a great run by Rodrygo on the right allowed the Brazilian to set up Bellingham arriving at the goal line. The Englishman missed the shot, but the rebound fell to Mbappé. The Frenchman, arriving as a '9', fired at Oblak to equalize the match. With the score at 1-1, the whites unleashed and Bellingham nearly scored the second a couple of minutes later, with a header that hit the crossbar.

Atlético weathered the storm of the first ten minutes of the second half and, around the hour mark, threatened again in the 'merengue' area. Giuliano Simeone had a clear chance after a good collective 'rojiblanca' play, but he couldn't finish powerfully coming in from the right, the weak point of the white defense whenever Lucas Vázquez is on the field. 'Cholo' made substitutions with the entries of Reinildo, Koke, and Nahuel Molina, while spaces opened up for both teams.

As the minutes passed, Oblak emerged as a key figure, denying Rodrygo and Vinicius with two reflex saves. Madrid was superior in the second half, but could not turn the result around. Ancelotti brought on Camavinga and Modric for Lucas and Ceballos in search of victory. However, the result remained unchanged and, therefore, everything stays the same in the standings, waiting for what Barça does this Sunday. Real remains in the lead, now with 50 points. Atlético is second, with 49. A Barcelona victory would put the culés at 48, just 'a shot' away from the top.

Technical sheet of the match: Real Madrid 1-1 Atlético de Madrid

• Real Madrid, 1: Courtois; Lucas Vázquez (Camavinga, min. 80), Tchouaméni, Asencio, Fran García; Ceballos (Luka Modric, min. 80), Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo (Brahim, min. 86), Vinicius and Mbappé.
• Atlético de Madrid, 1: Oblak; Javi Galán (Reinildo, min. 65), Lenglet, Giménez, Marcos Llorente; Samuel Lino (Koke, min 65), Pablo Barrios, De Paul (Correa, min. 82), Giuliano Simeone (Nahuel Molina, min. 65); Griezmann and Julián Álvarez (Sorloth, min. 81).
• Goals: 0-1, Julián Álvarez (min. 35, p.); 1-1, Kylian Mbappé (min. 50).
• Referee: Césa Soto Grado. Cautioned Dani Ceballos from Real Madrid. Also Lenglet and Javi Galán from Atlético.
• Stadium: Santiago Bernabéu.
• Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 23 of LaLiga EA Sports 2024-25.