The Merengue can thank Karim Benzema.
The French striker allowed Real to snatch the draw on the lawn of Atlético (1-1), in a hot Madrid derby, at the top of La Liga.
The title race promises to be contested until the end, while the Colchoneros (who have one game less), now have 3 and 5 lengths ahead of Barça (2nd) and Real (3rd).
🏁 FP: @Atleti 1-1 @realmadrid
⚽ Luis Suárez 15 '
⚽ @Benzema 88' # AtletiRealMadrid |
#Emirates pic.twitter.com/PCI98FHvWL
- Real Madrid CF (@realmadrid) March 7, 2021
What you must remember
8 games in a row without defeat away from home, 13 points out of 15 possible taken since the beginning of February… Real arrived at Wanda Metropolitano with full confidence.
But, from the quarter of an hour of play, Luis Suarez cooled the Merengue with a subtle outside of the right foot.
His 17th goal in 22 La Liga games.
Overtaken in the duels, too imprecise at the start-up and not sufficiently effective at the forefront, Zinedine Zidane's men have long looked pale against conquering opponents, led in particular by an excellent Marcos Llorente.
But Benzema, after a nice number and a stint with Casemiro, snatched the equalizer at the very end of the game (88th).
A scenario that allows his family to still dream of the title.
The player: Benzema, winning comeback
Holder for his return to the field, Karim Benzema went through all the feelings this Sunday.
Badly surrounded, frustrated, not efficient enough, the French had a very complicated first hour of play.
At the end of the game, he got two big chances, one after the other, but came up against an impeccable Jan Oblak (79th, 80th).
It was finally necessary to wait until the very last minutes to see him rewarded for his efforts, on a beautiful inspiration.
His 13th La Liga goal this season.
[🎞️VIDEO - ⚽️GOAL] 🇪🇸 #LaLiga
👊 Karim Benzema resets the counters to zero!
💫 Double contact ➡️ One-two ➡️ Goal 💥
😅 KB9 saves Real in Madrid derby! Https: //t.co/IS06obnkYR
- beIN SPORTS (@beinsports_FR) March 7, 2021
Varane and Mendy overwhelmed, Lemar convincing
If Benzema saw his record saved by a goal, this was not the case for his two French teammates, Raphaël Varane and Ferland Mendy.
The first had all the trouble in the world to contain Suarez, who evaded his marking on the opener.
The second also had a complicated meeting, marked by many losses of balls and defensive difficulties.
On the Atlético side, Thomas Lemar was one of the driving forces behind his team during a good first period.
But despite an interesting contribution, he gave way to Saul Niguez, at the hour mark.
The number: 371
With 371 appearances for Madrid in the league, Karim Benzema became this Sunday the non-Spanish player who played the most matches in La Liga in front of a former Real, the Brazilian Roberto Carlos (370).
