Benzema to the rescue for Real in Madrid derby draw against Atletico
Atletico Madrid squandered a chance to ruin Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes as Karim Benzema’s late equaliser secured a 1-1 draw and kept his team in the race at the top.
Luis Suarez’s flicked finish early in the first half looked to be enough to give Atletico a crucial win that would have put them eight points clear of their opponents, with a game in hand.
But they failed to make their authority count and Benzema punished them in the 88th minute, his goal earning Real Madrid a draw that ensures the gap between the two city rivals stays at five points.
It is still a considerable lead that Atletico can extend to eight points with 12 matches left if they win their game in hand at home to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday night.
Yet at full-time, it was Real Madrid’s players who had smiles on their faces, while Suarez left the pitch shaking his head, with Atletico only too aware this was a huge opportunity missed.
The title race remains very much in Atletico’s favour but still up for grabs, especially for Barcelona, who were perhaps the biggest beneficiaries of this result.
Barca now sit only two points behind Atletico, having played a game more. They also face Diego Simeone’s side at Camp Nou in May.
Kieran Trippier played his first game since January while Benzema proved his worth again, after being deemed fit enough to start after missing three games with a groin strain.
Atletico were far superior and stronger in the first half. They were more aggressive on the ball with a better plan that restricted Real Madrid to one long-shot from Casemiro and a glancing Benzema header.
By then, Real were behind, the opening goal coming from a familiar combination down the right. Trippier played out from deep into the path of Marcos Llorente, who nipped the ball away from the diving Nacho Fernandez.
A poked pass behind Raphael Varane found Suarez and he flicked a superb finish with the outside of his foot around goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and into the far corner. Atletico won every challenge and loose ball but missed a second goal.
Madrid wanted a penalty at the end of the half after the ball struck Felipe on the hand but the referee was unconvinced. Real Madrid rallied and the game opened up briefly. Nacho went close at the back post before Yannick Carrasco twice got the better of Lucas Vazquez, the second time pulling back for Suarez, whose finish was blocked.
Atletico appeared to have regained their authority but they failed to give themselves a cushion and tension grew.
Benzema fired over and then goalkeeper Jan Oblak pulled off an incredible double save, denying the Frenchman from point-blank range before getting up to block the rebound.
Two minutes remained when Benzema finally struck. He bundled through, the ball cannoning through kindly for Casemiro, who capitalised with an ice-cold pull-back for his teammate, who had an open net.