HISTORICAL: First penalty against Real Madrid... 23 matches later!

As usual, the derby between Real Madrid and Atlético de Madrid was filled with tension and controversy. The constant pressures and the blatant harassment of the refereeing body in the lead-up to the match put César Soto Grado in an uncomfortable and complex situation. However, despite the attempt at coercion from the whites, the referee made a decision during the match that is now history.

In the 31st minute, Aurélien Tchouaméni committed a stomp on Samu Lino while attempting to clear the ball inside the area, and after a few moments of uncertainty, the referee from Ávila pointed to the penalty spot in favor of the colchoneros thanks to the intervention of VAR. Subsequently, Julián Álvarez scored from the penalty spot, breaking the deadlock on the scoreboard, although Kylian Mbappé would equalize definitively in the second half.

The penalty awarded to Atleti is the first one given against the Madridistas this season in LaLiga. It took 23 matchdays for Thibaut Courtois to be tested from the penalty spot, while the whites have enjoyed 10 penalties in their favor during this same period.

The brutal difference between Real Madrid and the rest of the contenders

The penalty awarded to the rojiblancos is the first they have taken at the Santiago Bernabéu in a LaLiga match in 15 years! Back then, Diego Forlán converted it into a goal against Iker Casillas. In total, Madrid has a balance of +9 in the tournament, with 10 penalties in their favor and only 1 against.

Atlético, for example, has only been awarded three penalties in their favor and two against, while FC Barcelona has benefited from four occasions, although it could have been many more, and has been harmed on three others. Athletic Club, on the other hand, has a balance of four penalties in their favor and three against.

The penalty awarded to the colchoneros is only the fifth one sanctioned against the merengues this season across all competitions. The first came in the Champions League against Lille, with Jonathan David scoring the winning goal for the French side. Subsequently, Robert Lewandowski also found the net against Courtois from the penalty spot at the end of the Supercopa de España, and finally, Celta and Leganés were awarded penalties against the whites in the Copa del Rey.