Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid 1-1 Laliga, Kylian Mbappe Saves the Day in Fiery Madrid Derby

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The Madrid derby between Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid on February 9, 2025, was filled with drama, controversy, and excitement. Kylian Mbappe had his big derby moment, scoring the crucial equalizer to secure a 1-1 draw for Los Blancos. The result keeps the La Liga title race alive, as both Madrid teams remain in the hunt for the trophy.

Controversial Penalty Gives Atletico the Lead

The game was filled with intensity from the start, but the biggest controversy came in the 34th minute. Atletico Madrid was awarded a penalty after a VAR review determined that Aurelien Tchouameni had fouled Samuel Lino inside the box. It was a soft decision, but Julian Alvarez made no mistake, calmly chipping the ball down the middle to put Atleti ahead.

Real Madrid struggled to create chances in the first half, failing to register a single shot on target. The home fans at the Santiago Bernabeu were frustrated, as Atletico looked more composed and dangerous in attack.

Mbappe’s Magic Saves Real Madrid

Real Madrid came out with more energy in the second half, and it was Kylian Mbappe who delivered when it mattered most. The French superstar pounced on a loose ball and slotted it past Jan Oblak to make it 1-1. The Bernabeu erupted as Mbappe celebrated his first major impact in a Madrid derby.

The momentum was completely with Real Madrid after the goal. Jude Bellingham came close to giving Madrid the lead, but his header rattled the crossbar. Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo also had chances, but Oblak made crucial saves to keep the game level.

Atletico Madrid had their own opportunities on the counterattack, but they lacked the sharpness in the final third. In the end, both teams had to settle for a point, leaving the La Liga title race as competitive as ever.

Real Madrid Player Ratings

Goalkeeper & Defence:

• Thibaut Courtois (6/10): Couldn’t do anything about the penalty, had little else to deal with.
• Lucas Vazquez (5/10): Left too much space at the back, allowing Atletico to exploit his side.
• Raul Asencio (7/10): Showed great recovery pace but was guilty of diving into challenges.
• Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10): Unfortunate to concede the penalty but was otherwise solid.
• Fran Garcia (7/10): Defended well and made key tackles when needed.

Midfield:

• Dani Ceballos (6/10): Started well but faded as the match went on.
• Federico Valverde (6/10): A rare quiet night for the Uruguayan.
• Jude Bellingham (8/10): The best player on the pitch, full of energy and unlucky not to score.

Attack:

• Rodrygo (6/10): Provided the assist for the equalizer but lacked precision in key moments.
• Kylian Mbappe (7/10): Had a slow first half but came alive in the second, scoring the all-important goal.
• Vinicius Jr (6/10): Anonymous in the first half, much better in the second with dangerous runs.

What This Means for the Title Race

Real Madrid remains at the top of La Liga, but Atletico Madrid is right behind them, just one point away. Carlo Ancelotti will feel frustrated that his team didn’t capitalize on their dominance in the second half, while Diego Simeone’s Atletico will be pleased with their resilience.

With crucial fixtures ahead, including Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against Manchester City, every game is now a must-win for Los Blancos.

Post-Match Reactions, Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid

Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid Defender):

“It was an important game but not decisive. We had chances to win but weren’t sharp enough in the final pass.”

Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid Striker):

“We were on the right track, but Real Madrid put us under pressure in the second half. We have to stay focused and keep going.”

Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid Coach):

“We showed great character in the second half, but we should have won this game. The penalty decision was questionable, and we need to be more clinical.”

Looking Ahead

Real Madrid’s next challenge is against Manchester City in the Champions League, followed by a La Liga match against Osasuna. Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, will be looking to build on this performance as they continue their chase for the league title.

The Madrid derby delivered yet another thrilling chapter in Spanish football history. The title race is heating up, and with Mbappe now proving his worth in big games, Real Madrid fans have plenty to be excited about in the coming weeks.

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