La Liga: Angel Correa Secures Dramatic Derby Draw for Atletico Against Real Madrid

Ángel Correa’s dramatic 95th-minute goal earned Atletico Madrid a 1-1 draw against reigning Spanish champions Real Madrid in a fiery La Liga derby on Sunday. The Argentine forward nervously waited for VAR confirmation but was eventually cleared, having timed his run perfectly to secure a crucial point for his team.

Real Madrid, missing injured star striker Kylian Mbappe, controlled much of the match and took the lead in the second half through Eder Militao. However, the game was briefly halted for around 15 minutes after Atletico fans threw objects, including lighters, at Real Madrid players. Atletico midfielder Marcos Llorente was also sent off in the dying moments of the match.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti backed the referee’s decision to pause the game, saying, “It was the right call to stop the game, and it resumed correctly.”

Despite the late equalizer, Real Madrid remained second in the league, now three points behind leaders Barcelona, who lost to Osasuna on Saturday. “We were close to winning, but this can happen against such a strong opponent,” Ancelotti added. “I see it positively; we’ve gained a point on the leaders.”

Although Madrid conceded late, they extended their unbeaten run in the league to 40 matches, with their last defeat coming more than a year ago, coincidentally against Atletico.

Throughout much of the match, Real Madrid was in control. Ancelotti decided to play Luka Modric in place of the absent Mbappe. The first half had few chances, though former Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois made a crucial save from Julian Alvarez, while Fede Valverde came close twice for Madrid, with Jan Oblak making one save and watching a free-kick sail just wide.

Madrid finally broke through in the 64th minute when Modric’s free-kick found Vinicius Junior, whose cross reached Militao at the far post. The Brazilian defender struck the ball home with help from a deflection off Llorente, leaving Oblak helpless.

 

Fan Trouble

Shortly after the goal, the match was halted as Atletico fans threw objects at Madrid players, including Courtois. Atletico coach Diego Simeone, captain Koke, and Jose Maria Gimenez attempted to calm the crowd. The players were sent to the dressing rooms for about 15 minutes before the match resumed.

Madrid continued to press, with Oblak making a strong save from Vinicius’ low shot and Endrick missing a chance, but Correa stunned Madrid with his last-minute goal. The forward slipped behind Antonio Rudiger and bundled the ball into the net during stoppage time. Llorente’s foul on Fran Garcia earned him a red card, forcing Atletico to finish with 10 men, but they held on for the draw.

Simeone later criticized Courtois for celebrating Real Madrid’s goal while looking toward the fans. “You can celebrate a goal, but not by provoking the supporters with gestures,” Simeone told DAZN. He also recalled that Real Madrid fans had thrown objects at Courtois in the past when he played for Atletico.

There was further concern for Madrid as Courtois appeared to suffer a muscular issue late in the game. “Courtois had some discomfort, and we’ll assess him tomorrow,” Ancelotti said.

Elsewhere in La Liga, Real Betis beat Espanyol 1-0, Sevilla snatched a late draw against Athletic Bilbao, and Girona drew 1-1 with Celta Vigo.