Real Madrid v Atletico Madrid | Match Highlights | La Liga EA Sports Matchday 23

Real Madrid salvaged a 1-1 draw against city rivals Atlético Madrid in LaLiga on Saturday with Kylian Mbappé scoring a second-half goal to cancel out Julián Álvarez's first-half opener for the visiting side.

That kept Real top of LaLiga on 50 points, one ahead of Atletico in second who missed a chance to leapfrog them. Barcelona, third on 45 points, visit Sevilla on Sunday with a chance to close the gap in the title race. Despite failing to clinch all three points, Real Madrid showcased resilience, particularly in the second half, after struggling to break down a disciplined Atletico side that executed their defensive game plan to near perfection.

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 Aurélien Tchouaméni had fouled Samuel Lino inside the box. The visitors exhibited their usual intensity, pressing high and exploiting Madrid's makeshift backline, which lacked experience and cohesion. Alvarez, a constant threat, had already tested Courtois before stepping up for the penalty, and his composure from the spot underscored his growing reputation as a clutch performer.

Real roared back after the break, with Mbappe striking home a rebound in the 50th minute to level the game. But they were frustrated in their attempt to grab a win by an imperious Jan Oblak, who made a string of stunning saves. Oblak, time and again, proved why he is regarded as one of the finest goalkeepers in the world, pulling off heroic stops to deny Madrid's attacking trident. His saves from Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Bellingham, in particular, kept Atletico in the game, leaving Madrid fans in sheer disbelief.

Diego Simeone's Atletico arrived in fine form, having won 19 of their previous 21 games in all competitions, and they showed why they have the best defence in Europe's top five leagues with just 15 goals conceded in 23 games. Their defensive structure was rock solid, with the backline repelling wave after wave of Madrid's attacks. The midfield, led by the industrious Koke and Barrios, disrupted Madrid's rhythm, ensuring their creative outlets were stifled for large parts of the match.

On Saturday, despite missing defensive stalwart Robin Le Normand to suspension, Simeone's side was once again rock-solid at the back, frustrating Real's stellar attack, who were unable to create a single shot on target in the first half. The defensive duo of Mario Hermoso and José Giménez played pivotal roles in keeping Mbappe and Vinicius Jr at bay, making crucial interventions at decisive moments. Atletico's well-drilled defensive approach meant that Real had to work tirelessly to find openings, which were few and far between before halftime.

Winger Lino and forward Alvarez were a constant menace up and down the left channel, often exposing the deficiencies of Lucas Vázquez and Tchouaméni, who got the start in a depleted Real defence without their top four defenders due to injuries. Lino, in particular, was electric, combining pace and trickery to create chances that could have put Atletico in a more commanding position. His synergy with Alvarez was evident, with the duo repeatedly stretching Real's backline and linking up dangerously in the final third.

PENALTY

In the 25th minute, Atletico's players complained forcefully to the referee over a studs-up challenge on Pablo Barrios by Dani Ceballos, asking for a straight red. But Cesar Soto Grado gave only a yellow. The challenge, which left Barrios writhing in pain, ignited tempers on the pitch, with Atletico's bench furiously protesting for a stricter punishment. The referee's decision, however, stood, much to the dismay of the Atletico contingent.

Five minutes later, Atletico had their complaints heard when Tchouaméni left a foot in on Lino as the ball came into the box in a quick counter-attack. At first, the referee did not spot the foul, but after he was called to review the play in the VAR booth, he pointed to the penalty spot. The decision was met with a cacophony of whistles and jeers from the home crowd, who felt the call was harsh. However, replays showed clear contact, leaving the referee with little choice but to award the spot-kick.

Cold-blooded Alvarez held his nerve under deafening booing from the sold-out Santiago Bernabeu crowd to brazenly chip his penalty down the middle as Thibaut Courtois dived low. The audacious finish drew gasps from the crowd, as Alvarez showcased supreme confidence in a high-pressure situation. His execution was flawless, sending Courtois the wrong way and putting Atletico in the driver's seat.

Lino and Alvarez wasted golden opportunities that should have given the visitors a more comfortable lead, and they paid a heavy price as Real came back livelier after the break, with Vinicius Jr and Rodrygo impressing in the channels. Real's attacking duo injected much-needed urgency, forcing Atletico onto the back foot. Vinicius, in particular, was relentless in his dribbling, skipping past defenders and carving out openings that tested Atletico's defensive resolve.

It took them five minutes to find the equaliser when Rodrygo ran past two opponents on the right wing and crossed to Jude Bellingham, who sliced his first-touch strike from close range. Gimenez managed to block the rebound, which fell to Mbappe, who fired home the loose ball. The goal was greeted with an eruption of noise from the Bernabeu faithful, as Mbappe's clinical finish reignited Real's hopes of snatching victory.

Real went all out for the three points but ran into Oblak, who denied close-range efforts by Vinícius, Rodrygo, Mbappe, and Bellingham, who also had a strike off the crossbar, to secure Atletico's point. The Slovenian shot-stopper stood like a fortress, single-handedly ensuring Atletico left with a hard-earned draw. Despite Madrid's relentless pressure in the final moments, Atletico's defence held firm, reflecting their discipline and tenacity under Simeone's guidance.

As the final whistle blew, both teams left the field with contrasting emotions. Real Madrid were left frustrated, knowing they had the better chances to win, while Atletico walked away content, having weathered a second-half storm. The result keeps the title race wide open, with Barcelona looking to capitalize on any slip-ups in the coming weeks. For Real, the focus now shifts to their next challenge, as they seek to maintain their position at the summit of Spanish football.