La Liga: Mbappé’s Late Equalizer Secures Draw for Real in Tense Madrid Derby
In a thrilling LaLiga showdown at the Santiago Bernabéu on February 8, 2025, Kylian Mbappé’s second-half goal salvaged a 1-1 draw for Real Madrid against their city rivals, Atletico Madrid. The result keeps Los Blancos at the top of the table, just one point ahead of Atletico.
The match began with a controversial first half, marked by a penalty awarded to Atletico Madrid. Julián Alvarez confidently converted the spot-kick, executing a cheeky Panenka down the middle to give his team a 1-0 lead. The penalty was awarded after a VAR review, following a clumsy challenge by Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni on Samuel Lino in the box. This decision sparked outrage among Madrid fans, who had already been vocal about perceived refereeing biases.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opted for an attacking lineup featuring Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Rodrygo Goes, but both teams struggled to create clear chances in a tightly contested first half. Vinicius had a notable opportunity but failed to hit the target, while Atletico felt aggrieved that Dani Ceballos was only booked for a rough tackle on Pablo Barrios.
The tide turned early in the second half when Real Madrid equalized. Rodrygo made a dynamic run down the right flank, delivering a cross that led to a blocked shot from Bellingham. However, Mbappé was quick to react, bundling in the rebound to score on his first Madrid derby appearance.
As the match progressed, Madrid grew more aggressive, with Bellingham coming close to scoring on two occasions. He hit the crossbar with a header and later tested Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak with another effort. Oblak, in fine form, also denied Vinicius and thwarted a dangerous free-kick from Rodrygo that nearly curled in at the far post.
Despite Madrid’s late pressure, including a near-miss from Mbappé in the dying moments, the match ended in a stalemate, leaving both teams with a hard-earned point. With the draw, Real Madrid remains at the top of LaLiga, just ahead of Atletico and a single point clear of third-placed Barcelona, who will have their chance to close the gap against Sevilla on Sunday.
