Correa snatches Atletico spiky derby draw against Real Madrid

Angel Correa’s 95th-minute equaliser snatched Atletico Madrid a 1-1 derby draw against Spanish champions Real Madrid on Sunday in La Liga.

The Argentine forward had to wait nervously for a VAR review to prove he was onside but he had timed his run to perfection and secured the hosts a point.

Real Madrid, without injured star striker Kylian Mbappe, largely kept Atletico at arm’s length on a spiky night in the Spanish capital, taking the lead through Eder Militao midway through the second half.

The match was suspended for around 15 minutes soon afterwards when Atletico fans threw objects including lighters at Madrid players, and Rojiblancos midfielder Marcos Llorente was sent off at the death.

“I think it was a correct decision from the referee, he had to stop the game… and then it started again, it was correctly done,” said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Correa’s late strike put Atletico third, while Real Madrid, second, moved three points behind leaders Barcelona after their defeat at Osasuna on Saturday.

“We were very close to winning but this can happen, the opponent is very strong,” added Ancelotti.

“I always think positively, not negatively, I think that we’ve gained a point on the leaders.”

Despite the disappointment of conceding a late equaliser, Madrid reached 40 consecutive league games without defeat, their last loss coming just over a year ago at Atletico.

This time they were largely in the driving seat, with Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti opting for veteran midfielder Luka Modric in place of Mbappe.

The first half failed to set pulses racing although former Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved well at his near post from Julian Alvarez, who drifted in with intent from the left.

At the other end, Uruguayan