Atlético Madrid 1 – 1 Espanyol
In a dramatic encounter on Saturday, Espanyol held third-placed Atlético Madrid to a 1-1 draw in La Liga. Despite a first-half strike from Cesar Azpilicueta, Javi Puado converted a penalty to cancel out the lead and secure a crucial point for the relegation-threatened visitors.
The match took a turn in the 38th minute, when Marash Kumbulla’s attempt to clear a cross from Antoine Griezmann fell to Azpilicueta, who calmly finished with his right foot from outside the box.
But in the 71st minute, Clement Lenglet’s foul on Leandro Cabrera just outside the box gave Espanyol a chance to level the score. Puado stepped up and confidently slotted the penalty home, making it 1-1.
With this draw, Atlético Madrid remain in third place with 57 points, six behind leaders Barcelona, who have a game in hand. Espanyol, now with 29 points, are two points clear of the relegation zone.
