Vietto Saves The Day in Madrid Derby

A late Luciano Vietto goal cancelled out Karim Benzema's early strike as both sides leave the Vicente Calderon with one point.

Real Madrid started the game on top and it took less than 10 minutes for Karim Benzema to nod the visitors in front. Atletico lined up as they are to be expected, with everyone behind the ball and looked to counter, but this changed when going behind. The home side had a great chance through Angel Correa but he dragged his shot past Keylor Navas' right post.

The referee awarded the home side a chance to level the score line, but only after pressure from Atleti's front line on the Madrid defence.  Fernando Torres intercepted Sergio Ramos's pass but the former Liverpool man faltered and squandered the chance. Tiago picked up the loose ball only for Sergio Ramos, again, to scythe the veteran midfielder down. Antoine Griezmann stepped up but Navas dived to his left and saved the penalty from the young Frenchman.

Cristiano Ronaldo's first attempt came just after the half hour mark, but he ballooned the shot over the bar. Real lost fullback Dani Carvajal shortly before the half time whistle. The Spanish international was a key attacking outlet in the first half and always endeavoured to whip the ball into the box. It looked precautionary, but will no doubt the loss will worry Vicente Del Bosque ahead of Spain's Euro Qualifier on Friday.

Half-time beckoned and the score remained 1-0 to Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid were not creating much and anything they did create seemed to come from a Real mistake. For the second half, Simeone introduced the pace of Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco in the place of Oliver Torres in an attempt to find an equaliser. 

Contrary to the first half, Atleti looked to take the game to their city rivals while Real were content to sit back and hit them on the counter attack. The home side had a few snap shots but they were blocked in tandem by the defensive pairing of Ramos and Varane. 

Atleti's only attacking outlet was down the flanks, where the wingers and full backs crossed the ball into the box. Largely the deliveries were disappointing and Madrid's back four dealt with them comfortably. Gareth Bale was introduced by Rafa Benitez, but never really had an impact on the game.

Despite Atleti's chances coming like treacle, they did manage an equaliser with seven minutes remaining. Ferreira-Carrasco broke down the left wing, beating Alvaro Arbeloa before zipping a low cross into the box. Griezmann's flick was blocked, but newbie, Luciano Vietto was on hand to net his first goal for the club. The goal seemed to spark the home side into life as they pressed their visitors higher up the pitch.

Jackson Martinez had an excellent opportunity to win the game for Atletico, with a shot from several yards outside the box. Although struck well, Navas was on hand to save once again. Both sides wanted the victory so the latter of the game descended into an end to end spectacle with neither side able to clinch all three points.

Real Madrid will be disappointed that they could not hold onto the one goal lead that would have sent them of the table, while Atletico Madrid will definitely see this as one point gained rather than two points dropped.