Monday, March 3, 2014

Atletico Madrid 2-2 Real Madrid - as it happened

Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2014
Week 26's standout La Liga clash pitted Atletico Madrid against Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon. Los Blancos were ahead inside three minutes when Karim Benzema converted from close range, but goals from Koke and Gabi left the home side 2-1 ahead after a highly-charged first 45 minutes in the Spanish capital. The visitors had to wait until the last 10 minutes to level, however, with Cristiano Ronaldo's powerful effort securing a share of the spoils for Carlo Ancelotti's side. Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
 Cristiano Ronaldo scored inside the final 10 minutes to secure a 2-2 draw for Real Madrid over local and La Liga rivals Atletico Madrid in the Vicente Calderon



The visitors broke the deadlock just three minutes into the match, as Karim Benzema converted from close range following an Angel di Maria corner.

Ronaldo came close to adding a second, but Thibaut Courtois was able to divert his strike onto the post, keeping the home side in contention.

Atletico were back on level terms just two minutes later, as Arda Turan carved his way through the Real defence, before setting up Koke for the equaliser.

Atletico Madrid's midfielder Koke celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Club Atletico de Madrid vs Real Madrid CF at the Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid on March 2, 2014

It looked like the sides would be heading into the break level, but the visitors failed to clear a free kick in stoppage time, allowing Gabi to lash the ball in from long range, giving his side the lead for the first time. Atletico had the majority of the ball at the start of the second half, but the visitors defended well to prevent them getting a clear chance for a third. However, Real's attack responded and came close to equalising when Luka Modric floated a high ball in for Benzema, but the striker's volley was just wide. Gareth Bale had an opportunity shortly after as he attempted to head in from a Di Maria free kick, but Courtois was able to make the save. The visitors kept applying pressure, and it paid off in the 82nd minute, when Ronaldo picked up a cross from Daniel Carvajal to drill the ball in for Real. Diego Costa had a chance to restore Atletico's lead in the final moments of the match, but Pepe made a solid block to ensure that the sides finished level.

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