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Madrid’s Woes Help Athletico To The Top

Cristiano Ronaldo was controversially sent off as 10-man Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday at San Mames.

The forward was sent off for reacting to a shove by Carlos Gurpegi and then a confrontation with Ander Iturraspe in the 75th minute, although he appeared to be more sinned against than sinner.

Only a minute earlier Athletic had scored a brilliant equaliser through substitute Ibai with only his second touch after coming on, firing in a bouncing ball from the edge of the area.

Madrid held on for a point, having gone ahead after 65 minutes through striker Jese on his first league start, but the loss of Ronaldo now through suspension, for a possible three games, could well have an impact in the Primera Division title race.

These two dropped points left them three points behind city rivals Atletico and level with Barcelona.

After a bright opening from Madrid, Athletic wasted two golden chances to take a first-half lead.

Madrid held on for a point, having gone ahead after 65 minutes through striker Jese on his first league start, but the loss of Ronaldo now through suspension, for a possible three games, could well have an impact in the Primera Division title race.

These two dropped points left them three points behind city rivals Atletico and level with Barcelona.

After a bright opening from Madrid, Athletic wasted two golden chances to take a first-half lead.

Meanwhile, unlike Real, Atletico Madrid went top of the Primera Division for the first time since 1996 after recording a resounding 4-0 victory against Real Sociedad at the Vicente Calderon, while Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off for city rivals Real.

In a fitting way for the club to pay tribute to club legend Luis Aragones, who passed away a day earlier, David Villa opened the scoring late in the first half and then dedicated his goal to the late coach, with whom he won Euro 2008 with Spain.

Diego Costa settled Atletico’s nerves by scoring the second goal with 18 minutes remaining, and then Joao Miranda and substitute Diego Ribas each scored later on to round off an emotional night.