Real Madrid and Atlético Draw in Controversial Madrid Derby
In a Madrid derby characterized by few chances and fewer than five shots on target from both teams, Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid played to a 1-1 draw.
The hero for Madrid was the often-overlooked Éder Militao, who opened the scoring in the 64th minute. Just when it seemed that Carlo Ancelotti's side would secure the victory, Ángel Correa, the “angel” Simeone needed, equalized in the 90+6 minute.
Against a formidable Atlético Madrid defense, it was once again Vinícius Jr. who made the breakthrough, driving forward after a rebound and sending the ball to the far post for Militao to volley it home.
The derby at the Cívitas Metropolitano, which had a calm atmosphere until Militao's goal, was temporarily suspended for ten minutes by referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer due to the ongoing throwing of objects at Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from the north end of the stadium.
A section of Atlético Madrid fans targeted Courtois, a former player, when the goalkeeper handed the referee an object that had fallen in his area after Real Madrid's goal.
The match was paused initially while Courtois cleared various thrown items, mostly lighters, from his area before presenting another to the referee, prompting Busquets Ferrer to direct both teams off the pitch.
The suspension came in the 69th minute, with Real Madrid leading 1-0, and was expected to last for ten minutes to allow tensions to ease.
Captain Koke Resurrección was the first to approach the north end to urge fans to stop throwing objects, followed by José María Giménez and coach Diego Simeone.
After a brilliant pass from Javi Galán and a spectacular run by Correa, he controlled the ball in midfield to shake off Militao's marking, leaving Thibaut Courtois with no chance to prevent the equalizer for the “Colchoneros.”
With this result, Real Madrid remains in second place in La Liga with 18 points, three points behind Barcelona, who leads with 21, while Atlético sits in third with 16 points.