AtleticoMadrid

Atlético’s Marcos Llorente heads late leveller to dent Real Madrid’s title hopes

04-Feb-2024 22:32:43 | The Guardian

The Madrid Trilogy closed with a twist in the final scene. Three derbies in three weeks on three different stages and in three competitions left Real lifting the Super Cup, Atlético prevailing in the Copa del Rey, and Real’s superiority reasserted in the league, the empire seemingly back in power. But then in the 93rd minute, Marcos Llorente, the son, grandson, nephew and great-nephew of men who made history in white, headed in the goal that gave their great rivals a dramatic late equaliser, raising his arms to the sky as he ran to the corner, striped shirts chasing after him.

Episodes I and II had required extra time to find a winner; Episode III had none and so it had been a battle but no one was beaten. The first two instalments had brought 14 goals, wild epic nights, 120 minutes of drama and tension, ending 4-2 and 5-3; the last of them had just two. And if the draw was enough to see Carlo Ancelotti’s side go two points clear at the top of the table, 10 ahead of Atlético, it was the 100 supporters of Diego Simeone’s side sitting high in a tiny corner of the north stand who were celebrating at the end.