Late equalizer secures point for Real Madrid in La Liga encounter
Teenager Alvaro Rodriguez scored his first senior goal for Real Madrid in the 89th minute to secure a 1-1 draw against 10-man Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby. Jose Gimenez gave Atletico the lead in the 78th minute, but Rodriguez’s late equalizer earned Real Madrid a point.
Atletico’s Angel Correa was sent off in the 64th minute for an elbow on Antonio Rudiger. The result leaves Real Madrid in second place in the La Liga table with 52 points, seven points behind leaders Barcelona, who play Almeria on Sunday night.
Real Madrid had the better chances in the first half, with Jan Oblak making several saves to keep Atletico in the game. Gimenez cleared a shot off the line from Yannick Carrasco’s corner in the 28th minute, and Asensio curled a shot over the bar in the 33rd minute.
Atletico started the second half stronger, with Griezmann and Valverde both coming close to scoring. Correa’s red card gave Real Madrid the advantage, but it was Atletico who took the lead when Gimenez headed in Griezmann’s cross in the 75th minute.
Real Madrid piled on the pressure in the final minutes and were rewarded with Rodriguez’s late goal. Despite their domination, they were unable to find a winner, and the game ended in a draw.
Real Madrid will now turn their attention to the Copa del Rey, where they will face Barcelona in the first leg of their semi-final next Thursday. Atletico, meanwhile, will continue their La Liga campaign at home to Sevilla next Saturday.
