Angel Correa’s 95th-minute equalizer snatched Atletico Madrid a 1-1 derby draw against Spanish champions Real Madrid on Sunday in La Liga.
The Argentine forward had to wait nervously for a VAR review to prove he was onside, but he had timed his run to perfection and secured the hosts a point.
Real Madrid, without injured star striker Kylian Mbappe, largely kept Atletico at arm’s length on a spiky night in the Spanish capital, taking the lead through Eder Militao midway through the second half.
The match was suspended for around 15 minutes soon afterwards when Atletico fans threw objects including lighters at Madrid players, and Rojiblancos midfielder Marcos Llorente was sent off at the death.
Play here and stand a chance of winning the over 19 million SportPesa Midweek Jackpot
Correa’s late strike put Atletico third, while Real Madrid, second, moved three points behind leaders Barcelona after their defeat at Osasuna on Saturday.
“Both teams wanted to win and we managed to get the draw almost at the end,” Atletico midfielder Koke told DAZN.
Despite the disappointment of conceding a late equalizer, Madrid reached 40 consecutive league games without defeat, their last loss coming just over a year ago at Atletico.
This time they were largely in the driving seat, with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opting for veteran midfielder Luka Modric in place of Mbappe.
“It could be a good point for the future,” said Ancelotti.
“I always think positively, not negatively, I think that we’ve gained a point on the leaders and we’re in a good dynamic and now thinking about Wednesday’s (Champions League) game.”
ALSO READ: Gor Mahia dominate Mathare United as Shabana’s long-awaited match in Kisii is called off
The first half failed to set pulses racing although former Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved well at his near post from Julian Alvarez, who drifted in with intent from the left.
At the other end, Uruguayan midfielder Fede Valverde twice came close, with Jan Oblak first saving a long-range effort before he sent a free-kick whistling past the post.
The second half continued in the same vein until Madrid forged their way ahead through defender Militao in the 64th minute.
Modric sent a free-kick out to the left flank and Vinicius Junior’s cross drifted all the way through to the back post, where Militao was waiting.
ALSO READ: Ethiopian Mengesha wins 50th edition of Berlin Marathon, Kenya’s Kotut finishes second
Militao opens the scoring for Real Madrid
The Brazilian hammered home with the aid of a deflection off Llorente, which left Oblak with no chance.
A few minutes later the match was temporarily suspended by the officials after Atletico fans threw lighters and other objects at Madrid stars, including Courtois.
Diego Simeone, Atletico captain Koke and Jose Maria Gimenez went to try and calm the situation by talking to fans behind Madrid’s goal.
The referee sent players into the dressing rooms for around 15 minutes before play eventually resumed.
Oblak made a fine save from Vinicius’ low drive as Madrid looked the more likely to score, until Correa’s late intervention.
The forward darted in behind Antonio Rudiger and bundled home to level.
Llorente’s ugly foul on Fran Garcia left Atletico to see out the final moments with 10 men, but they were able to claim their point.
ALSO READ: SportPesa launch revolutionary Tujiamini Initiative to nurture talent
Tujiamini is an initiative that seeks to provide a platform, including up to 30M shillings in funding, for individual, team sports and various talent, in a year-long campaign that will go around the country in a move aimed at evoking the sense of pride in Kenya’s sports and talent ecosystem.
Applicants are urged to submit their applications through www.tujiamini.co.ke