Atletico Madrid went into their derby encounter with Real Madrid at the Vicente Calderon this evening having not defeated their rivals since October 1999.
It looked as though they were going to end that run when leading goalscorer Radamel Falcao broke the deadlock in the opening exchanges.
However, an own goal from Juanfran before the break, coupled with a strike by Angel Di Maria after the restart, meant that Real left with all three points.
You can find out how the match unfolded with Sports Mole's minute by minute updates.
Evening all - really looking forward to this one. It's arguably the biggest match in Spanish football behind Barcelona vs. Real Madrid. What makes it even more important is the fact that the rivals are battling it out for second spot. There's bound to be a great atmosphere inside the Vicente Calderon as well - all of which should make for an entertaining match.
Before we get into some pre-match chat, the team news is just beginning to filter through to us. Let's start with the visiting side shall we?
REAL MADRID XI: Lopez; Nacho, Pepe, Carvalho, Albiol; Khedira, Kaka, Essien; Di Maria, Morata; Benzema
So, there is one glaring, albeit expected, omission from that Madrid side. Cristiano Ronaldo is believed to have picked up a knock against Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League and has been left out altogether today. Jose Mourinho has actually shuffled his pack quite a bit and has given opportunities to the young duo of Nacho at left-back and attacker Morata.
ATLETICO MADRID XI: Courtois; Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Filipe Luis; Suarez, Gabi, Koke, Garcia; Costa, Falcao
That is pretty much what you would expect from Atletico and if you're being honest, on paper, they probably have the stronger starting lineup of the two. Diego Costa will continue to partner Radamel Falcao in attack, while Gabi and Koke will form part of a narrow four-man midfield.
I was just about to say that a victory for Atletico tonight would hand the title to Barcelona. However, as I started to type, Barca shipped a late equaliser to Athletic Bilbao at the San Mames. They are now in stoppage time but if Barca cannot find a late winner, the title will not be decided tonight. Although, it is only a matter of time.
Of course, recent history would have you believe that there is only one winner tonight. Real have won the last nine meetings between these two sides and have not lost since 1999! That's 14 years! There can't be many rivalries in the major European leagues which has been so dominated by one team.
And there is the final whistle in Bilbao - Barca have been held to a 2-2 draw and so no matter what the result is this evening, they will have to wait another week at least to get their hands on the La Liga title for a 22nd title.
Right, the players are now filtering onto the pitch. There's a brilliant atmosphere inside the stadium. The home fans are certainly up for this! Not long now until we get started.
GAME ON! Visiting Madrid, attacking from right to left, get this important derby encounter off and running.
GOAL! Atletico 1-0 Real (Falcao)
What a fantastic start for the home side, but Real will be kicking themselves - particularly goalkeeper Diego Lopez. He can only parry a harmless free kick from Koke and when Diego Godin turns the ball back into the area, Falcao has the easiest of tap-ins. That's his 32nd goal of the season and he won't have scored many easier. The Vicente Calderon is rocking!
BOOKING! Real are struggling here. Having conceded early, Raul Albiol has just had his name taken after he allows Diego Costa to get across him, leaving him with no real choice but to haul him to the ground. He's lucky to be honest because other officials may have dished out a red card.
Real are still to settle into this fixture. They can't keep hold of the ball and when they do manage to get some possession, they're forced into committing errors by the busy Atleti players. Whether the home team can keep up this level of intensity remains to be seen.
GOAL! Atletico 1-1 Real (Juanfran OG)
Well, just as I say that, Real are level - albeit in fortunate circumstances. Angel Di Maria whips over a free kick from the right which evades a number of players, before glancing off Juanfran's torso. The deflection proves to be too much for Thibaut Courtois, who fails to keep the ball out despite diving at full stretch. The Vicente Calderon falls silent and Los Blancos are right back in this game.
A stat from the guys at Opta following that Real equaliser: "14 min - Real Madrid have scored their 1st goal in the 14th minute of the game on average in their 10 last trips to the Calderon. Repetition."
BOOKINGS! Sami Khedira is arguing the decision, but I've no idea why. He goes in studs up on Gabi and is rightly booked. Then, just seconds later, he's joined in the book by his Real Madrid teammate Pepe for a trip on Koke. That's Pepe's first yellow card in nine matches, which is a real achievement for him!
BOOKING! What an earth is Koke doing? He's beaten by Kaka inside the Real half and still he decides to pull back the Brazilian midfielder. Totally needless and he goes into the book. At this rate, there is not a chance that 22 players will be on the pitch at the end.
Another contribution from Opta regarding the own goal: "2005 - Juanfran is the 1st player to score a own goal in a derby between Atletico and Real Madrid in La Liga since Perea in 2005. Mishap."
Half an opportunity for Atletico as Koke sends over a dangerous free kick from the right wing. Godin gets his head to the ball, but it's not a firm contact. The ball skids wide of the target, but had any Atletico player been lurking at the back post, they would have had an easy tap-in.
The number of petty fouls in this match really is ruining it as a football match. Because free kicks are constantly be given, neither side is able to get their passing games going. It's a shame because there are so many talented players out.
BOOKING! Shock, horror - we've had another yellow card. It's Morata who goes into the book and to be honest it is harsh on the youngster. Yes he caught Koke, but it was a genuine attempt to get the ball and it was also his first offence. The referee should have shown a bit more understanding with that one.
CHANCE! Is there a bit young goalkeeper in European football at the moment than Courtois? If there is, I haven't seen him. On this occasion he rushes bravely off his line to deny Karim Benzema from close range. It's a really good save from the Belgian international, who is on loan with Atleti from Chelsea.
We will have one minute of stoppage time at the end of the first half in Madrid.
HALF-TIME: Atletico 1-1 Real
Well, that wasn't the most inspiring half of football you will ever see. It started brightly with two relatively early goals, but since then there has been far too many fouls which has stopped the match from flowing. All in all it's been a bit of a disappointment.
Having said that, Real coach Mourinho will probably be happier than his counterpart Simeone. After all, he has made nine changes and yet his team are competing well. He also has the likes of Mesut Ozil and Xabi Alonso on the bench to change things if he wants to during the second half.
Here's another stat from Opta which won't make for pleasant reading for Atletico supporters: "0 - Real Madrid are the only team Atletico have not beaten in the league since their promotion in 2002. Burden."
Right, the players have returned and Atletico have restarted the second half here at the Vicente Calderon. Let's hope for a bit more football being played during the second 45 minutes.
SAVE! What a fantastic leap from Raul Garcia at the back post, who gets above Real youngster Nacho to head goalwards. Shorter goalkeepers may have struggled to keep that effort out, but Lopez's tall frame allowed him to parry the effort, before holding the ball at the second attempt.
There is still very little football being played. It's so frustrating because we've seen on numerous occasions this year that both of these teams are more than capable of producing the goods. It's a real shame.
CHANCE! What a horrible miss from Atletico's Gabi. You won't see anything that bad on Hackney Marshes tomorrow morning! He's played in by Costa and all he has to do is hit the target and he will surely score. There's no belief in his shot though and the ball dribbles a good four or five yards wide of the goal. Dear oh dear.
I'm not sure that Benzema has touched the ball for Real this half. The French international is stood up front all alone. He looks like the kid in the playground who goal hangs! He must be mightily frustrated by how this game as unfolded.
GOAL! Atletico 1-2 Real (Di Maria)
But who needs Benzema to score their goals? Madrid don't! The French striker actually is the creator, slotting through a pass for Di Maria, who sends a first time shot into the bottom corner of the net from a narrow angle. That's a great finish from the Argentine winger and it is his fifth La Liga goal of the season. Real haven't had a sniff this half and yet they are in front!
SUBSTITUTION: A change for Real as young French defender Raphael Varane is called upon to replace Michael Essien. That's a sign that Mourinho is settling for what he has got now. Varane will fill in at centre-back, while Pepe will move into a deep central midfield role.
SUBSTITUTION: The home side respond with a positive switch as striker Adrian takes the place of midfielder Garcia. Atletico now have three out and out strikers on the pitch.
Here's a stat from Opta regarding that second Real goal: "8 - Karim Benzema has made his 8th assists in this league, more than any other season for Real Madrid or Olympique Lyon. Creative."
BOOKING! It's another controversial moment in Costa's career as he sees yellow for diving. It's not even a clever attempt at simulation from the Atleti striker as he hits the deck inside the area with Nacho's outstretched leg nowhere near him.
SUBSTITUTION: That's the end of the road for goalscorer Di Maria, who has arguably been Real's best player this evening. He's given a rest with the Champions League in mind and on comes former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Luka Modric.
It's all gone rather quiet inside the Vicente Calderon. They've seen their side play extremely poorly during the second half against what is effectively a large number of back-up Real Madrid players. A disappointing evening all round.
CHANCE! Half an opportunity for Atletico to draw level, but it falls to the wrong player. Full-back Luis finds himself inside the area but from a narrow angle, his swerving effort bulges into the side netting. They won't get many more chances to get something from this game so they can't really afford to waste ones like that.
More from Opta: "+2 - Real Madrid are the 2nd team to score two goals against Atletico at the Calderon in La Liga this season (Rayo scored 3). Blow."
Atletico have three minutes of stoppage time to salvage a share of the spoils.
FULL TIME: Atletico 1-2 Real
Are Atletico ever going to beat Real again? They won't have many better chances because that was a second string Real starting lineup! That's now 25 matches without a win against their rivals for Simone's team. It has also put Los Blancos six points clear of Atletico in second spot.
That's all we have time for from Madrid. Thanks for joining us this evening. Until next time, goodbye.
Written by
Liam Apicella
Liam Apicella
