Liga Report: Albertini Saves Atletico
Atletico Madrid scored an incredible injury time equaliser to earn a undeserved 2-2 draw in a scintillating derby encounter with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.
Atletico Madrid scored an incredible injury time equaliser to earn a undeserved 2-2 draw in a scintillating derby encounter with Real Madrid in the Bernabeu.
Demetrio Albertini's 95th minute strike gave Atletico a share of the spoils in the dying seconds of a classic match that saw two red cards shown and three penalties awarded.
The rollercoaster ride began after eight minutes when Raul sent the ball over the bar from six yards as he connected with Ronaldo's pinpoint cross.
Three minutes later Aletico made him pay for the error as Javi Moreno slammed home a penalty after Roberto Carlos was adjudged to have fouled Jose Mari in the area.
Within 60 seconds of conceding the opening goal, Real Madrid were reduced to ten men as Ivan Helguera's clumsy tackle on Moreno saw him sent off.
Real Madrid had been stung and they pressed forward in search of an equaliser and with Atletico failing to utilise their numerical advantage, Luis Figo equalised.
After cutting inside his marker the Portuguese midfielder rifled a low shot into the far corner of the net as German Burgos stood motionless.
The battle continued with tackles flying in from all directions, but Garcia Calvo will regret the one he made on Roberto Carlos after 44 minutes.
The Brazilian was sent flying in the Atleti penalty area and Figo made no mistake as he put Real ahead from the spot with his second of the night.
Play continued at a frantic pace after the interval with both sides having opportunities to score.
Jose Mari came closest for Atletico, but his powerful header was superbly saved by Iker Casillas in the Real goal.
Figo then failed to repeat his earlier heroics as he saw his second penalty of the night saved by Burgos.
Roberto Carlos was again fouled in the box, but this time Atletico's Argentinian keeper saved the ball with his face, stopping the game for several minutes as blood poured from his nose.
Atletico's bid for a point appeared to be over when Garcia Calvo touched Figo en route to goal and the referee produced the defender's second yellow card.
But the delay for Burgos's injury proved to be Atleti's saving grace.
With 95 minutes on the clock, the Italian playmaker sent a powerful shot towards the top corner of the goal and was delighted when Casillas' tip onto the post rebounded back onto his head and in.