Luciano Vietto’s first goal for Atletico Madrid seven minutes from time earned the hosts a deserved share of the spoils against Real Madrid in a 1-1 draw on Sunday.
Real looked on course to move top of La Liga thanks to Karim Benzema’s fine early header in an otherwise insipid display from Rafael Benitez’s men.
Keylor Navas produced a fine save from Antoine Griezmann’s first-half penalty, but the Costa Rica international was beaten for just the second time this season when Vietto bundled the ball home from close range.
Photo: Reuters
Only a spectacular save from Navas prevented Jackson Martinez snatching all three points for Atletico in stoppage-time.
Real maintained their two point lead over Atletico and moved into second above Barcelona and RC Celta de Vigo on goal-difference, but remain a point behind leaders Villarreal.
Gareth Bale was left on the bench by Benitez as he made his return from a calf injury.
However, Real started the brighter and Jan Oblak had to scurry from his line to smother an effort from Benzema after just seven minutes.
There was nothing the Slovenian could do, though, to prevent the Frenchman moving out on his own as La Liga’s top scorer with six goals, as he powered home a header from Dani Carvajal’s pinpoint cross from the right.
Angel Correa was the one bright spark for Atletico in the first 45 minutes and he nearly pulled the hosts level with an angled drive that flew just wide after a neat one-two with Oliver Torres.
The Argentine wonder kid fired just off target again moments later as Atletico reacted well to the blow of conceding the early goal.
Diego Simeone’s men had a great chance to level on 21 minutes when Real captain Sergio Ramos chopped down Tiago inside the area.
Ramos was lucky to escape with just a yellow card, but Navas pulled off his second penalty save of the season with a brilliant low stop to his left against Griezmann to maintain Real’s lead.
Simeone threw on Vietto, Martinez and Yannick Ferreira Carrasco in the search for an equalizer after the break as Atletico went on to dominate the second period.
Fernando Torres had the first opening of the half, but dragged his shot horribly wide from Correa’s fine through ball.
Bale was introduced for the final 25 minutes, but made little impact as Real sat back in the hope of holding onto their lead.
However, Benitez’s men were undone when Martinez got to the by-line and, despite Navas’ best efforts from Griezmann’s initial effort, the ball fell kindly for Vietto to prod home.
Martinez then had the chance to seal a famous comeback, but his fiercely struck effort from the edge of the area was brilliantly turned behind by Navas.
Villarreal missed the chance to extend their lead at the top of the table as they were beaten 1-0 at Levante UD.
Villarreal were reduced to 10 men on 35 minutes when Bojan Jokic saw a straight red card for a high challenge on Ivan Lopez.
The visitors held out until seven minutes from time when Brazilian striker Deyverson converted Nabil el Ghilas’ cross to take Levante off the foot of the table.
The pressure on Valencia coach Nuno Espirito Santo was increased as his side blew a 1-0 lead to lose 3-1 at Athletic Bilbao.
Real Betis Balompie moved up to eighth as goals in either half from Heiko Westermann and Ruben Castro handed them a 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano de Madrid.
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