Real dent in title hopes

Zidane fumes as Madrid held in dramatic Sevilla draw

EDEN HAZARD’S 94th-minute equaliser salvaged Real Madrid a dramatic 2-2 draw against Sevilla yesterday as an extraordinary penalty decision swung La Liga’s title race back in Atletico Madrid’s favour.

Zinedine Zidane’s side had levelled through Marco Asensio midway through the second half and thought they had a penalty when Karim Benzema was brought down after rounding Sevilla goalkeeper Yassine Bono.

But VAR prompted referee Juan Martinez Munuera to check an Eder Militao handball a few seconds before, with a huge decision seeing Madrid’s penalty cancelled and a spot kick awarded to Sevilla instead.

Ivan Rakitic converted and while Madrid still managed to hit back in injury time, Toni Kroos’ shot deflecting in off Eden Hazard’s foot, the draw hands the advantage back to Atletico at the end of another dramatic weekend in the

Spanish title race.

“I don’t understand it at all. If it’s a handball against Militao it has to be a handball against Sevilla too,” Zidane told Spanish network Movistar Plus.

The French coach prides himself on rarely discussing refereeing decisions but he took to the pitch after the game to remonstrate with official Juan Martinez Munuera.

“He told me that Militao’s was a handball but he didn’t convince me,” added Zidane.

“I never speak about the referee but today I’m angry. In the end it is what it is and what I say won’t change anything.

“I’m happy with how my team played, we deserved more as we were spectacular in the second half.

“But now we have to think about the next game. It is not up to us now, but we will fight to the end, to the death.”

Real director Emilio Butragueno joined

Zidane in expressing his frustration with the decision.

“We’re not having much luck with plays like this. We’ve been in a few similar situations this season and once again the decision went against us,” he said.

“It was an absolutely decisive decision given the moment in the game and what it meant, a penalty for Sevilla or a penalty for Real Madrid.

“We’re concerned as there have been some similar plays which in theory would have gone in our favour and the outcome has been different. We’re left feeling a little uneasy.”

After Barcelona and Atletico played out a goalless draw Sunday at Nou Camp, the second instalment of La Liga’s blockbuster weekend also finished honours even, meaning the situation at the top is unchanged with three games now remaining. – AFP/The Independent