Cristiano Ronaldo secured a point for his team as his late strike earn Real Madrid a point in his teams 2-2 La Liga derby draw away to city rivals Atletico Madrid in a dramatic match on Sunday.
Karim Benzema had put Madrid ahead when he beat Atletico's offside trap to prod Angel Di Maria's exquisite inswinging cross past Thibaut Courtois, but two wonderful goals - Koke's fierce shot inside the box in the 28th minute and a sensational long-range strike from skipper Gabi just before the halftime - gave Atletico the lead going into halftime.
Atletico seem to be closing in on a first home win over Real in nearly 15 years before Ronaldo pounced on a loose ball and fired into the corner to maintain Real's three-point advantage over their neighbours at the top of the log table.
Real started the game brightly and were ahead after only three minutes when Karim Benzema stole in unmarked and poked a cross from Angel Di Maria past Thibaut Courtois from close range.
Benzema and Ronaldo, the league's leading scorer, each tested Courtois again before clever work from Atletico's Turkish playmaker Arda Turan led to the equaliser in the 28th minute.
After twisting and turning on the edge of the Real penalty area, Arda threaded a pass through to Koke and his powerful low shot flew into the corner past Diego Lopez.
Captain Gabi scored the best goal of the game moments before halftime to put the home side ahead, with a 30-metre screamer that flew past Lopez.
Real gradually turned the screw as Atletico tired in the second half and it was little surprise when a defensive lapse led to Ronaldo's late equaliser.
Atletico had two further penalty appeals turned down in the second half after they had earlier been denied in the first half a situtation that saw coach German Burgos sent to the stands for confronting referee Carlos Delgado.
The Portugal forward's 23rd goal of the campaign extend Real's unbeaten run to 28 matches, stretching back to a 2-1 reverse away to champions Barcelona at the end of October.
Real have 64 points, with Atletico second on 61 and Barca, who host promoted Almeria later on Sunday (2000 GMT), in third on 60.
Karim Benzema had put Madrid ahead when he beat Atletico's offside trap to prod Angel Di Maria's exquisite inswinging cross past Thibaut Courtois, but two wonderful goals - Koke's fierce shot inside the box in the 28th minute and a sensational long-range strike from skipper Gabi just before the halftime - gave Atletico the lead going into halftime.
Atletico seem to be closing in on a first home win over Real in nearly 15 years before Ronaldo pounced on a loose ball and fired into the corner to maintain Real's three-point advantage over their neighbours at the top of the log table.
Real started the game brightly and were ahead after only three minutes when Karim Benzema stole in unmarked and poked a cross from Angel Di Maria past Thibaut Courtois from close range.
Benzema and Ronaldo, the league's leading scorer, each tested Courtois again before clever work from Atletico's Turkish playmaker Arda Turan led to the equaliser in the 28th minute.
After twisting and turning on the edge of the Real penalty area, Arda threaded a pass through to Koke and his powerful low shot flew into the corner past Diego Lopez.
Captain Gabi scored the best goal of the game moments before halftime to put the home side ahead, with a 30-metre screamer that flew past Lopez.
Real gradually turned the screw as Atletico tired in the second half and it was little surprise when a defensive lapse led to Ronaldo's late equaliser.
Atletico had two further penalty appeals turned down in the second half after they had earlier been denied in the first half a situtation that saw coach German Burgos sent to the stands for confronting referee Carlos Delgado.
The Portugal forward's 23rd goal of the campaign extend Real's unbeaten run to 28 matches, stretching back to a 2-1 reverse away to champions Barcelona at the end of October.
Real have 64 points, with Atletico second on 61 and Barca, who host promoted Almeria later on Sunday (2000 GMT), in third on 60.
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