Real Madrid1 - 1Atletico

Alvarez made the breakthrough from the spot in the 35th minute after a surprise award, with Aurelien Tchouameni adjudged to have brought Samuel Lino to the ground inside the box when contact was minimal at best.

However, Real Madrid answered back early in the second period through Mbappe, with the France international finding the back of the net to level the scores, and neither team could find a third in the capital affair.

Carlo Ancelotti's side remain top of the La Liga table, one point clear of second-placed Atletico, while third-placed Barcelona will have the chance to move to within two points of the summit when they tackle Sevilla on Sunday.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

That is now three straight 1-1 draws between Real Madrid and Atletico, with the scoreline not even slightly surprising.

Real Madrid will have been furious about the award of the penalty, but it would have been a bigger story had the home side been unable to fight back, with Mbappe levelling early in the second period.

Both teams showed title credentials on Saturday night, with this Atletico team the real deal, and it would not be a shock to see Diego Simeone's side finish at the top of the division at the end of the campaign.

The real winners at Bernabeu were Barcelona, though, as this is the scoreline that the Catalan giants would have been hoping for; a win over Sevilla on Sunday would now move them to within two points of the summit.

It is shaping up to be a fascinating title race in the closing months of the campaign, and Atletico's performance at Bernabeu further strengthened suggestions that a first La Liga trophy since 2020-21 could be secured.

On another night, Real Madrid would have won this, but Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak was in inspired form, making eight saves in total, including one in the final exchanges to deny Mbappe a late derby-day winner.

REAL MADRID VS. ATLETICO MADRID HIGHLIGHTS

Julian Alvarez goal vs. Real Madrid (35th min, Real Madrid 0-1 Atletico Madrid)

Atletico take the lead from the penalty spot in the 35th minute, with Alvarez chipping straight down the middle.

The award of the spot kick came after Tchouameni was adjudged to have felled Lino - the referee was sent to the monitor to have a look, and it is extremely debatable, with limited contact being made.

Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Real Madrid (50th min, Real Madrid 1-1 Atletico Madrid)

Real Madrid level the scores in the 50th minute of the contest, as Mbappe fires into the back of the net after the ball had broken to him from a blocked Jude Bellingham attempt - a huge moment in the Madrid derby, with Los Blancos' number nine finding the back of the net.

MAN OF THE MATCH - KYLIAN MBAPPE

Oblak deserves a mention here, with the Atletico goalkeeper in wonderful form, but Mbappe again showed signs of his best in the Madrid derby, with the Frenchman a constant problem for the Atletico defence.

The 26-year-old continued his excellent form with the leveller early in the second half, while he completed four dribbles and finished with a pass success rate of 92% during another standout performance.

REAL MADRID VS. ATLETICO MADRID MATCH STATS

Possession: Real Madrid 60%-40% Atletico Madrid

Shots: Real Madrid 23-10 Atletico Madrid

Shots on target: Real Madrid 9-1 Atletico Madrid

Corners: Real Madrid 6-1 Atletico Madrid

Fouls: Real Madrid 14-13 Atletico Madrid

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Real Madrid's attention will now switch to the Champions League, with Los Blancos heading to Manchester City on Tuesday night for the first leg of their knockout round playoff with the Premier League champions.

Ancelotti's side will then return to La Liga action away to Osasuna next Saturday, while Atletico have a free week, having already secured their spot in the knockout round of the Champions League, and they are back in league action against Celta Vigo next Saturday.

Written by

Matt Law