MADRID, Feb. 8 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Saturday night in a thrilling game that leaves Real with a 1-point lead over its neighbor at the top of La Liga.

Julian Alvarez put Atletico ahead in the first half after a controversial penalty, with Kylian Mbappe pulling Real level five minutes into the second half.

Real pushed for a winning goal, but Atletico's defense and goalkeeper Jan Oblak stood firm in the closing minutes as Real pressed hard.

The first half was even, with both sides clearly highly-motivated and giving everything in every challenge. Although there were a few nervous moments, neither side was able to manage a shot on target, with Jude Bellingham shooting wide for Real Madrid and Vinicius Jr sending his shot wide of the post.

The game changed in the 31st minute after Pablo Barrios sent a shot over the Real Madrid bar, only for the VAR to call him to check a possible foul from Aurelien Tchouameni on Samuel Lino.

The video showed Tchouameni had caught Lino with his studs, although neither had made contact with the ball, but the referee gave Atletico a penalty, which Alvarez clipped down the middle as Thibaut Courtois dived to his left.

It was the first penalty given against Real Madrid this season.

Real Madrid was level five minutes into the second half after brilliant work from Rodrygo set up Bellingham, and although his shot was blocked, the ball fell to Mbappe, who scored from six yards out. Enditem

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