Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid finished their first Madrid derby of the season in a 1-1 stalemate at Cívitas Metropolitano, with Eder Militao and Angel Correa netting the goals. The high-profile encounter is likely to be remembered for off-field incidents that overshadowed the on-pitch action.
The first half of the match was underwhelming, featuring limited chances for both teams. Real Madrid had more control after Thibaut Courtois denied Julian Alvarez from a tight angle. Atletico Madrid’s Jan Oblak made a crucial save against Fede Valverde’s fierce shot 16 minutes in, while the Uruguayan also sent a free kick just wide ten minutes later. A rare opportunity arose when Rodrygo set up Jude Bellingham, but his weak shot was easily handled by Oblak.
The second half remained closely contested until Real Madrid broke the deadlock in the 63rd minute with a goal from Eder Militao. The play began with a short free kick to Vinicius, who delivered a cross to the far post. Militao volleyed the ball past Jan Oblak, with a slight deflection off Marcos Llorente. In the dying moments of the match, Marcos Llorente received a red card for a harsh challenge on Fran Garcia, marking a pivotal moment that is likely to have significant consequences for Atletico Madrid moving forward.
With this draw, both sides lost ground to FC Barcelona who are now 3 points clear at the top with Real Madrid sitting second. Los Blancos will next play Villareal in La Liga while Atletico will travel to Real Sociedad.
Off-field – incidents dominate the Madrid derby
In the lead-up to the match, there were speculations that a section of Atlético Madrid’s ultras planned to wear masks to conceal their identities while directing abuse at Vinicius Jr. However, it was Thibaut Courtois, the former Atlético player, who ended up as the main target.
After Real Madrid took the lead, referee Busquets Ferrer halted the match after members of Atletico Madrid’s ‘Frente Atletico’ ultra group, many of whom were masked, began throwing objects onto the pitch near Thibaut Courtois. This incident reflects ongoing concerns about crowd behavior and security during high-stakes matches.
🚨🚨| REAL MADRID V ATLETICO MADRID GAME CURRENTLY SUSPENDED!!!
This is due to fans throwing objects onto the pitch!
pic.twitter.com/Q8gEfq0xi6— Transfer Sector (@TransferSector) September 29, 2024
The match was paused for 15 minutes in an attempt to restore order, but despite the break, television footage showed more objects being hurled at Courtois in the final minutes of the game. This continued unrest highlighted the challenges of maintaining a safe environment in high-tension matches.
Read More: Raphael Varane Retires: Four-Time Champions League Winner Calls Time on Career
Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
