Atlético title pursuit stalled by late Real Madrid equalizer

Atlético Madrid conceded late to Real Madrid to attract 1-1 on Sunday and go away the league leaders at larger threat of being caught of their pursuit of the Spanish title.
Karim Benzema, again within the Madrid squad after an harm layoff, scored within the 87th minute after Luis Suárez’s early purpose for Atlético on the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Atlético was in management many of the match and squandered a number of probabilities so as to add to its lead, paying the value ultimately and losing its alternative to extend its benefit on the prime of the league.
The draw stored Diego Simeone’s crew 5 factors in entrance of Madrid and solely three factors forward of second-place Barcelona, which received 2-0 at Osasuna on Saturday. Atlético has a sport in hand over each Madrid and Barcelona.
Atlético is making an attempt to win its first league title since 2014. Either Barcelona or Madrid have received the title each season since then.
Atlético hasn’t crushed Madrid in 10 straight league matches — since 2016 — with 5 losses and 5 attracts. It misplaced 2-0 at Madrid within the groups’ earlier encounter final yr.
Madrid, coming off a disappointing house draw in opposition to Real Sociedad, had received three in a row in opposition to Atlético in all competitions.
The match was performed with out followers however there was a big gathering of Atlético supporters outdoors the stadium earlier than and in the course of the sport. Their chants and purpose celebration after Suárez scored may very well be heard contained in the venue.
They have been loudly heard close to the top of the match when Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak made two very good close-range saves off consecutive makes an attempt by Benzema. Oblak additionally stopped the striker’s free kick try just a few moments later.
He couldn’t cease Benzema within the closing minutes, although, because the striker discovered the web from close to the penalty spot after a cross by Casemiro in one of many few errors by the Atlético protection throughout your complete match.
Atlético began the sport urgent ahead and opened the scoring in a breakaway within the fifteenth minute. Suárez discovered the far nook with the skin of his proper foot whereas going through Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois inside the realm after a cross from Marcos Llorente.
Suárez, Atlético’s main scorer with 17 objectives, hadn’t discovered the web in 5 video games in all competitions. The 34-year-old Uruguay striker who joined from Barcelona this season moved inside two objectives of Messi, the league’s scoring chief this season.
Madrid tried to realize management within the second half however it was Atlético that stored threatening probably the most in counterattacks, squandering a number of good scoring probabilities.
Madrid remained with out the injured captain Sergio Ramos, whereas Atlético had the return of defender Kieran Trippier after he accomplished a 10-game ban for breaking betting guidelines.
Atlético was coming off two consecutive setbacks within the league at house — it misplaced 2-0 to Levante and drew 2-2 with Celta Vigo.
Madrid, in the meantime, had received 4 away matches in a row in all competitions, together with 1-0 at Atalanta within the first leg of the spherical of 16 of the Champions League. Atlético misplaced 1-0 to Chelsea in its first leg within the European competitors.

Atlético hadn’t scored within the final three league derbies in opposition to Madrid, since Antoine Griezmann’s purpose in early 2019. It has by no means gone 4 matches with out a purpose in opposition to its rival.
Madrid has by no means misplaced in 4 visits to Atlético’s Metropolitano stadium within the league. It is the one league crew unbeaten there.
The draw stored Simeone from breaking Luis Aragonés’ membership document of 308 wins as a coach.
THRILLER IN HUESCA
Fran Beltrán scored a 76th-minute winner as Celta Vigo beat last-place Huesca 4-3 after twice squandering the lead.
Celta moved to eighth place, whereas Huesca stayed 4 factors from security.