A late strike by Raul Garcia ensured Atletico Madrid came away from the Santiago Bernabeu with a 1-1 draw against city rivals Real Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup.
The match was preceded by a tribute to Real Madrid great Alfredo Di Stefano, who died of a heart attack in July, with large photographs of the forward and the silverware he helped the club win displayed to the crowd.
The match proper then witnessed Real’s Cristiano Ronaldo being replaced at half-time by new signing James Rodriguez after picking up a hamstring injury, though Real manager Carlo Ancelotti believes the Portuguese ace will not be sidelined for long by the injury.
Before then, Real dominated large spells of the half but it was Atletico that had the chances to score only for goalkeeper Iker Casillas to save efforts by Saul Niquez and Mario Mandzukic.
Welshman Gareth Bale tested the Atletico goalkeeper twice in the second half as the home side began to assert itself on the game and were duly rewarded with a goal nine minutes to the end.
A cross from defender Dani Carvajal was not properly dealt with by the Atletico defence, with the loose ball falling to James who put Real in front with the help of a deflection.
But with two minutes left to play, Raul Garcia was left unmarked at the far post to poke home the Atletico equaliser off a cornerkick and hand the Spanish league champions a slight advantage heading into the second leg.
Atletico will host Real, Copa del Rey holders, on Friday at the Vicente Calderon ahead of the new La Liga season kicking off next weekend.