Real Madrid remains second in the standings with 18 points, trailing Barcelona by three and leading Atletico Madrid by two in third place after eight matches. Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa netted a late equalizer in stoppage time, resulting in a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid on Sunday in a tense LaLiga derby, which was halted for over 20 minutes after home fans threw objects onto the pitch.
The match was paused in the 69th minute, just five minutes after Eder Militao scored for Real Madrid, as Atletico ultras Fondo Sur hurled objects towards Real’s Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who informed the referee.
Following a delay of more than 20 minutes, the players returned to the field, and Atletico increased the pressure. Substitute Correa capitalized on a counter-attack in the fifth minute of added time to score from close range.
“These matches are filled with tension and intensity,” Atletico captain Koke told DAZN regarding the objects thrown onto the field. “It was a very tense moment. This shouldn’t happen on a football pitch. We are professionals, and we need to be intelligent. But four people shouldn’t ruin it for the rest of the stadium.”
With key forward Kylian Mbappe sidelined due to a leg injury, Real’s manager Carlo Ancelotti strengthened the midfield by bringing in Luka Modric, who is nearing 40. The result was a more balanced team that controlled much of the game but couldn’t convert their dominance into goals.
Real Madrid’s biggest challenge this season has been adjusting to the retirement of midfield maestro Tony Kroos, who retired in July after playing at Euro 2024 with Germany. With Modric aging and Jude Bellingham positioned as an attacking midfielder, Uruguayan Federico Valverde stepped into Kroos’s playmaker role in central midfield.
Valverde, acting as a ball magnet, orchestrated most of Real’s dangerous plays, distributing the ball to Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, or Bellingham upfront or launching long-range shots at goal himself. Valverde came close to scoring three times in the first half, while Atletico’s defense held strong with minimal counter-attacks.
Atletico showed more vigor after the break when manager Diego Simeone introduced Brazilian winger Samuel Lino, who provided the spark missing in the first half. As Atletico appeared closer to scoring, Vinicius Jr. outpaced Rodrigo De Paul on the left wing, crossing to an unmarked Militao, who controlled the ball and unleashed an unstoppable half-volley past goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Following Real’s goal celebration, objects such as lighters and bottles were thrown onto the pitch, prompting referee Mateo Busquets Ferrer to halt the match and direct the players to the dressing rooms. The stadium announcer warned that continued misbehavior would result in the game’s abandonment.
Once play resumed, Atletico maintained their pressure, though Real substitute Endrick nearly doubled the visitors’ lead with a long-range strike in the 89th minute that narrowly missed the post. Six minutes later, substitute Javi Galan’s pass penetrated Real’s defense, allowing Correa to take the ball, bypass Courtois, and tap it into the empty net, securing a point for Simeone’s side.
Atletico ended the match with 10 men after Marcos Llorente was sent off for a tackle from behind on Fran Garcia.
