Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid: Alvaro Rodriguez header rescues point against 10-man visitors in Madrid derby
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Updated 25/02/2023 at 19:58 GMT
A late header from Alvaro Rodriguez rescues Real Madrid a point against Atletico Madrid in the Madrid derby at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Jose Correa was sent off in the 64th minute but, even with a man down, Atletico took a shock lead through Jose Gimenez in the 78th minute. In the 85th minute, 18-year-old Rodriguez scored Real's equaliser to make sure the points were shared.
Real Madrid's Uruguayan forward Alvaro Rodriguez celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Spanish League football match between Real Madrid CF and Club Atletico de Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium
Image credit: Getty Images
The spoils were shared in the Madrid Derby after 18-year-old Alvaro Rodriguez cancelled out Jose Gimenez’s opener for 10-man Atletico Madrid in a 1-1 draw.
Atletico were reduced to ten men when half-time substitute Angel Correa was sent off for an elbow into the chest of Antonio Rudiger.
But Gimenez silenced the Santiago Bernabeu when he headed Antoine Greizmann’s cross beyond Thibaut Courtois.
Rodriguez matched the defender with a header of his own to salvage a point for Real late on.
Both sides had their fair share of chances in the first half, but neither were clinical enough in front of goal.
The biggest talking point of the opening period was Reinildo’s injury, with the defender having to be replaced after 23 minutes following a nasty knee injury he sustained during a tussle with Federico Valverde.
Real had a great chance to go ahead early on in the second half when Vinicius drove into the box and squared a cross to Benzema at the front post, but the Frenchman failed to get enough purchase on the ball as it flashed across the face of goal.
Minutes later Antione Greizmann popped up on the edge of the box and was presented with a good chance to fire Atletico ahead, but dragged his shot wide.
All of a sudden Atletico were down to ten men when half-time substitute Angel Correa was sent off for an elbow into the chest of Antonio Rudiger, 19 minutes after his introduction.
Despite the one-man advantage, Real fell behind when Gimenez headed Greizmann’s cross from a free-kick across the goal and into the bottom right corner.
Facing a huge blow that would almost certainly end their fading hopes of chasing Barcelona in the title race, Rodriguez popped up with his first Real goal to earn a point for Los Blancos.
Real are second in the table, seven points behind Barcelona who have a game in hand, while Atletico remain fourth.
TALKING POINT - ATLETICO DENT REAL MADRID TITLE HOPES
Real Madrid’s hopes of retaining the La Liga title were already rapidly fading, but a draw at home to their local rivals will leave a bitter taste in the mouth. The result could - and likely will - prove monumental for Barcelona, who are now seven points clear with a game in hand.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side dismantled Liverpool during the week with a thumping 5-2 win on Merseyside in the Champions League, but couldn’t get past a 10-man Atletico Madrid outfit four days later. Questions could be asked of Ancelotti and his team selection, especially as he ringed the changes before the game and heavily tinkered with the midfield after only an hour played.
On a brighter note for Real, teenage sensation Alvaro Rodriguez scored his first goal for the club and could be a useful option in the latter stages of the season.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH - FEDERICO VALVERDE (REAL MADRID)
The Real Madrid man was probably the standout player for his overall game, as he barely put a foot wrong all night and continuously pushed Los Blancos offensively, especially as they chased what could be an important equaliser in the long run.
Not only did he impress once again on Saturday night, but he’s been ever-present in a midfield that has been constantly altered this season, highlighting the Uruguayan’s quality.
MATCH RATINGS
REAL: Courtois 6, Carvajal 6, Rudiger 7, Militao 7, Nacho 7, Kroos 7, Asensio 6, Valverde 8, Cebellos 7, Vinicius 8, Benzema 7
Subs: Modric 7, Camavinga 7, Tchouameni 6,Rodriguez 7
ATLETICO: Oblak 8, Reinildo 6, Hermoso 6, Savic 7, Molina 6, Llorente 7, Barrios 6, Koke 7, Saul 6, Carrasco 7, Greizmann 8
Subs: Gimenez 8, Lemar 6, Doherty, Witsel 6, Correa 5, Morata 6
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
21’ - REINILDO NEEDS TREATMENT OFF THE PITCH - The Atletico defender shields the ball as it goes behind for a corner but Valverde doesn't give up on it and wins it back, but Reinildo looks to have damaged his knee in the process.
51’ - BIG CHANCE MADRID! Vinicius drives into the box and squares the ball to Benzema in the Frenchman's ideal territory, but instead of poking the ball beyond Oblak at the near post, he guides the ball across the face of goal as he doesn't get enough connection. The best chance of the game so far.
61’ - GREIZMANN DRAGS A SHOT JUST WIDE! Carrasco bursts into the box and when he can't go any further, turns back and feeds Antoine Griezmann on the edge of the box, who drags a good chance wide.
64’ - RED CARD! Half-time substitute Correa has been sent off for an elbow on Rudiger! Atletico are down to 10.
78’ - GOAL! REAL MADRID 0-1 ATLETICO MADRID (GIMENEZ) - Gimenez gets on the end of a Greizmann cross from a free-kick and guides the ball across Courtois and into the bottom corner.
85’ - GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-1 ATLETICO MADRID (RODRIGUEZ) - The 18-year-old rises highest from a corner and heads past Oblak to equalise!
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