Real Madrid missed the chance to move four points clear at the top of the La Liga standings as Marcos Llorente popped up with a stoppage-time equaliser in Sunday’s Madrid derby.

Brahim Diaz struck in the first half and it looked as though Real Madrid were going to cruise to a victory before Llorente rose highest to power home in the 93rd minute and secure a share of the spoil.

The result sees Real Madrid extend their lead at the top of the table to two points ahead of Saturday’s meeting with title rivals Girona.

Before the game had even begun, Real Madrid were handed a huge blow as Vinicius Junior succumbed to injury in the warm-up. Reports suggested he was fine, then he wasn’t, then he was again, then it was Joselu replacing him, but it was finally Brahim’s name that appeared on the starting lineup.

Alvaro Morata stung Andriy Lunin’s gloves early on in an energetic first half, but stand-in striker Brahim had the white half of Madrid celebrating 20 minutes in as he collected a loose ball in the box and poked beyond Jan Oblak. A brief VAR check confirmed that Lucas Vazquez was onside in the build-up.

Axel Witsel failed to convert a header almost immediately after, and the ensuing corner also saw Stefan Savic spur the offer of an instant equaliser.

Atletico’s defending fell below expectations in the first half. Lucas Vazquez hit the side netting after bursting through and the full-back linked up well with Brahim to cause all sorts of problems before the break.

Just three minutes after the interval, Atletico thought they had tied things up. Savic rose highest to head home from a corner but saw the goal disallowed as Saul Niguez was obstructing the goalkeeper in an offside position, even though Andriy Lunin was never getting to the ball anyway.

Oblak made a huge save to deny Rodrygo on the counter shortly after the hour mark, before Brahim nearly netted a glorious solo goal. He left two Atletico defenders for dead but curled his effort wide of goal.

Atleti pushed for an equaliser but lacked any real creativity in the final third, but just as it looked as though they would have to settle for defeat, up popped Llorente with a powerful header deep into stoppage time.

GK: Andriy Lunin – 7/10 – Had to make some smart saves to keep Atletico from grabbing an immediate equaliser in the first half.

RB: Lucas Vazquez – 7/10 – Vazquez loves a big game. An absolute menace charging up and down the right wing, he could have easily had a goal or an assist.

CB: Dani Carvajal – 6/10 – Celebrated his 400th Madrid game with a composed performance in an unfamiliar position, although his aerial ability left a little to be desired.

CB: Nacho Fernandez – 6/10 – Put himself about to try and keep Atletico at bay. Not always convincing but can’t fault the effort.

LB: Ferland Mendy – 6/10 – Enjoyed his defensive assignment once again but left a little to be desired going forward.

DM: Toni Kroos – 8/10 – Defensively solid and typically excellent on the ball. Both long and short passes caused all sorts of problems for Atletico.

CM: Federico Valverde – 8/10 – Sensational energy to try and overwhelm Atletico’s midfield. Carried the ball up the pitch with terrifying ease time and time again.

CM: Eduardo Camavinga – 7/10 – Buzzed around with immense energy, seeking to get involved at both ends of the field. A typically classy performance from the young midfielder.

AM: Jude Bellingham – 7/10 – Really smart movement, drifting between midfield and attack to try and confuse Atletico’s defence. Did a great job of dragging players out of position.

ST: Rodrygo – 6/10 – Combined with Bellingham to great effect but also popped up with a huge defensive interception to keep his side ahead in the first half.

ST: Brahim Diaz – 7/10 – Nobody even knew he was playing until the game kicked off, but Brahim made sure everyone was aware of his presence. Took his goal well and definitely deserved it thanks to his effort and excellent link-up play with those around him.

SUB: Joselu (71′ for Brahim) – 7/10

SUB: Luka Modric (76′ for Rodrygo) – 6/10

SUB: Dani Ceballos (88′ for Bellingham) – N/A

Subs not used: Kepa Arrizabalaga (GK), Diego Pineiro (GK), Fran Garcia, Arda Guler, Vinicius Junior

Carlo Ancelotti – 7/10 – Starting Brahim ultimately proved to be a masterstroke, but Ancelotti also got the rest of his selection right. The balance of his midfield was particularly impactful.

GK: Jan Oblak – 6/10 – Could do nothing to stop his ultimate nemesis Brahim from opening the scoring.

CB: Stefan Savic – 6/10 – Solid enough on the right side of defence, ensuring Real Madrid had to focus their efforts on the other side of the field. Unlucky not to get himself on the scoresheet as well.

CB: Axel Witsel – 6/10 – Shielded his box well but should have grabbed an immediate equaliser in the first half.

CB: Mario Hermoso – 5/10 – Really struggled up against Real Madrid’s dynamic right side. Brahim ran rings around him in the early stages.

RM: Marcos Llorente – 6/10 – Couldn’t get involved out wide but was shifted central at half-time, and he ultimately popped up to save the day late on. Got away with one of the most blatant fouls from a corner which wasn’t called for a penalty.

CM: Rodrigo De Paul – 5/10 – Got absolutely bodied by Valverde in a quiet performance.

CM: Koke – 5/10 – Kept back in a deeper role which occasionally left a hole in Atletico’s midfield. Felt like a bit of a waste of his talents.

CM: Saul – 5/10 – Guilty of obstructing Lunin for Savic’s attempted equaliser. A poor decision which ultimately cost his side.

LM: Rodrigo Riquelme – 4/10 – Couldn’t handle Real Madrid’s energetic attack and was unsurprisingly hooked at half-time.

ST: Alvaro Morata – 5/10 – Didn’t really get involved as much as he’d have liked. Wanted far more opportunities to attack Carvajal in the air.

ST: Antoine Griezmann – 6/10 – Put a real shift in trying to make something happen. Robbed of a lovely assist from a corner, which was one of several examples of his dangerous deliveries.

SUB: Nahuel Molina (46′ for Riquelme) – 6/10

SUB: Memphis Depay (61′ for Morata) – 5/10

SUB: Pablo Barrios (61′ for De Paul) – 5/10

SUB: Samuel Lino (61′ for Saul) – 5/10

Subs not used: Horatiu Moldovan (GK), Antonio Gomis (GK), Reinildo, Gabriel Paulista, Arthur Vermeeren, Angel Correa

Diego Simeone – 5/10 – Simeone didn’t change much for this one but just couldn’t keep up with Madrid. Atleti did have the chances to win this game, however, so he can’t be too frustrated.