Real Madrid came from behind to salvage a 1-1 draw against city rivals Atletico Madrid in a LaLiga clash of title hopefuls on Saturday night.
Kylian Mbappe scored a second-half goal to cancel out Julian Alvarez’s first-half opener for the visiting Atletico, with the result keeping Real top of LaLiga, one point ahead of their city rivals in second who missed a chance to leapfrog them.
In a tale of two halves at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, Atletico dominated the first 45 minutes and took the lead when Alvarez struck a 35th minute penalty after Aurelien Tchouameni had fouled Samuel Lino inside the box.
Real roared back after the break, Mbappe stroking home a rebound in the 50th minute to level the game.
Diego Simeone’s side had gone in front through a controversial 35th-minute penalty converted by Alvarez, who chose the ‘Panenka’ style approach from the spot, chipping the ball down the middle as goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois dived past.
The referee pointed to the spot after going to the video assistant referee (VAR) monitor as Aurelien Tchouameni was adjudged to have fouled Samuel Lino.
Five minutes after the break, Mbappe scored his 16th league goal of the season when he reacted quickest after Jude Bellingham’s shot bounced into his path.
England international Bellingham had a greater impact in the second half, heading on to the crossbar and having a shot saved by Jan Oblak as Real pushed for a winner.
