Benzema’s late leveller in Madrid derby keeps Real in title shoot-out

WHILE eyes in this part of Europe were fixated on the battle of Manchester, a similar skirmish was being fought out between Spanish title-chasers as Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema struck an 88th-minute equaliser to snatch a 1-1 draw at La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid yesterday, keeping Los Blancos in the title race.

Luis Suarez had put the hosts in charge in the 15th minute, producing an ice-cool finish to beat Thibaut Courtois after a lung-bursting run forward from his own half by midfielder Marcos Llorente. The Uruguayan was denied a second goal later in the half by former Atletico ’keeper Courtois early in the second period, while the Belgian also thwarted his compatriot Yannick Carrasco from point-blank range.

Benzema spurned three chances to score before equalising late on, playing a one-two with Casemiro to tap into the net.

An Atletico victory would have taken Diego Simeone’s side eight points clear of their city rivals but Benzema’s leveller means they lead third-placed Real by five points while Barcelona, in second, are three points behind.

The Catalans have two Lionel Messi assists to thank as Ronald Koeman praised the team’s “fighting spirit” after their 2-0 win at Osasuna, continuing their rampant domestic form after a spectacular Copa Del Rey comeback against Sevilla.

Rivalry

Heated rivalry was also the flavour in Germany as their answer to El Clasico – Der Klassiker – ended in a 4-2 win for hosts Bayern Munich over a Borussia Dortmund side that could only muster up four shots all game.

Contrast that with the three goals scored by former Dortmund star Robert Lewandowski as Bayern fought back from being 2-0 down inside 10 minutes on Saturday.

Dortmund had appeared on course for a first win at the Allianz Arena since the 2012-’13 campaign after Erling Haaland’s early brace.

Lewandowski, though, started the fightback when he turned the ball in at the back post in the 26th minute, before levelling from a penalty just before half-time, which had been given following a VAR review.

Leon Goretzka completed the turnarond when he volleyed in during the 88th minute, and there was still enough time for Lewandowski, the Bundesliga’s top scorer, to chalk up his treble in added time with a low shot from outside the box.

RB Leipzig had earlier moved above Bayern at the top of the table with a 3-0 win at Freiburg, which was a sixth straight Bundesliga victory for Julian Nagelsmann’s side, but Bayern end the weekend two points ahead in the two-horse title race as Dortmund are left lumbered in sixth place.