Atlético Madrid 1-1 Real Madrid: The hosts secure a dramatic draw after the Madrid derby as fans throw objects at Thibaut Courtois

The Madrid derby ended with the points split, but it will be a game remembered for a long break because of the rocket throws from Atlético Madrid fans at Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Shortly after Eder Militao gave Real Madrid a second-half lead, former Rojiblanco favorite Courtois, who was directing the celebration to the area behind the goal at the Metropolitano, was pelted with objects including a lighter.

Players were taken off the field for almost 15 minutes before returning and play resumed with 21 minutes to play.

As the game neared its end, Atlético stormed forward, with Courtois making a great stop from Lino, but six minutes into stoppage time Angel Correa finally managed to restore parity – the VAR overturned an initial offside decision.

In the final minutes, Marcos Llorente was sent off for a rash foul, ending a game full of incidents but one that will be overshadowed by the actions of Atlético fans.

There have been many memorable duels between the two Madrid giants, but this one will be remembered for unsavory reasons and could lead to some self-reflection in Spanish football about what it believes should be tolerated in its stadiums.

This seems particularly relevant given that referee Alejandro Quintero Gonzalez was hit for three days by a bottle thrown by an Espanyol fan.

In the run-up to the game there were rumors that some of the Atleti ultras would wear masks to hide their identities and insult Vinicius Jr. Instead, it was former Atlético star Courtois who became the main target after his transformation into the fan area and celebrated the visitors’ goal.

The Spanish Football Federation has given referees the power to take players off the pitch if fans misbehave. Now it’s up to them to follow this up with a punishment that will deter fans from behaving like this in the future.

Federico Valverde (Real Madrid): It wasn’t a game that featured a standout player and Thibaut Courtois could well have won the award had he not conceded a goal late on. In a game where injury prevented Kylian Mbappe from playing in the Madrid derby, it was Valverde who stood out the most among the visitors as they took control of the game, both through his impressive long-range shots and his clever interplay with his Teammates.

Atlético Madrid: Oblak 7; Marcos Llorente 7, Le Normand 7, Gimenez 6, Reinildo 6; Molina 6, Gallagher 6, De Paul 6, Julian Alvarez 6; Sorloth 6, Griezmann 6.

Substitutes: Koke 6, Lino 7, Correa 8, Riquelme 6, Galan 7.

Real Madrid: Courtois 7; Carvajal 7, Rüdiger 6, Militao 7, Mendy 6; Tchouameni 6, Modric 7, Fede Valverde 8*; Bellingham 5; Vinicius 7, Rodrygo 6.

Substitutes: Vazquez 6, Endrick 6, Garcia 6.

9′ ALVAREZ PUSHES THROUGH FROM THE LEFT… And he fires a low shot from a tight angle, which Courtois parries with his legs.

17′ VALVERDE STRUGGLES AN EFFORT FROM 20 MERES! And Oblak jumps high to the right to push off.

51′ GREAT CHANCE FOR RODRYGO! And he’s only a few centimeters over the target. Atletico fell asleep after a corner, which was played as a one-two back to Modric and then rolled towards the Brazilian all alone on the edge of the penalty area.

64′ GOAL! ATLETICO 0-1 REAL MADRID (MILITAO)! Vinicius’ cross hit the defender at the back post and he brought the ball to the ground before firing a half-volley that clipped Llorente’s leg and then ended up in the net.

68′ COURTOIS complains about things being thrown at him! The referee interrupted the game for the time being. Koke tries to calm the followers. The players now leave the field.

73′ VINICIUS JR. WITH FINE TURN AND SHOT! He turns Giminez around 35 yards from goal and then fires a left-footed shot from 25 yards, which Oblak makes good and shoots past the post.

83′ GREAT STOP BY COURTOIS! The headlines will surround him anyway, but Courtois showed his class as a goalkeeper there, directing a shot from Lino that followed a great run and turn from the Brazilian.

90+6′GOAL! ATLETICO 1:1 REAL MADRID (CORREA)! Correa ran towards goal and brilliantly took the ball around Courtois before turning the ball into the goal under pressure from Militao.

90+8′ LLORENTE RECEIVES A RED CARD! He made a scissor challenge on Fran Garcia and after checking the monitor, the referee sent him off.