GREAT SAVE

They would have gone into the break 2-0 up had it not been for a great save from Casillas, who got a hand to a shot from Galletti after the Argentine winger was put clear by Torres.

With leading striker Ruud van Nistelrooy pulling out at the last minute because of injury, Real coach Fabio Capello threw on the out-of-favour Antonio Cassano in the second half for the ineffective Jose Antonio Reyes.

The Italian, who had not featured in the league since falling out with Capello in October, played a decisive role in Real's equaliser when he threaded a superb pass through the Atletico back four just after the hour.

Higuain raced clear, rode a challenge and clipped the ball over keeper Leo Franco to score his first goal for the club.

Atletico laid siege to the Real area in the final minutes, but the visitors managed to hold on thanks to several more outstanding saves from Casillas.

In the build-up to the match a number of cars belonging to the media, which were parked alongside the stadium, were destroyed by congregating fans.

Earlier, relegation-threatened Real Sociedad slumped to a sixth defeat in seven games when they lost 1-0 at home to Deportivo Coruna, former Atletico striker Angel Arizmendi scoring the winner just before the half hour.

The Basque side's chances of remaining in the top flight look increasingly slim as they remain 11 points adrift of safety with all their immediate rivals yet to play.

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