In a technically poor game including a lot of tough fouls, the modest Alaves and powerful Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 at Alaves’ Mendizorrotza Stadium this Tuesday, in Matchday 11 in Spanish La Liga.

With the result, the Madrid team reached 20 points in the league, and remain in the top four, but lost the chance to overtake the lead and can still be surpassed by up to four rivals in the standings in this 11th Matchday.

Despite being a mid-table side, and is struggling in the table, the 1-1 draw at home was acceptable for Alaves. They are now in the 13th place, counting on 12 points. They remain in danger of relegation, as the first team who tops the relegation zone is Real Betis, with 9 points. But it was good overall, given that they were facing a side that spent more money than English sides – who normally have more money than anyone else in Europe -.

After a very violent first half, both goals came out in the second half. On 71 mins, after a give-and-go, Alvaro Morata opened the scoring for Atletico Madrid, in a beautiful finish past goalkeeper Fernando Pacheco.

However, on 83 mins, Lucas Perez was Alaves’ hero, as he slotted home a powerful shot with no chance for Jan Oblak and guaranteed the point at home against one of the best sides in Europe.

The match ended up 1-1, and with 49 fouls overall. Alaves had 23 against 16 from Atleti. Both sides had been booked three times each, as the referee gave six yellow cards in the match. Quite high numbers considering the average in the Old Continent.

Next Saturday, Atletico Madrid will play again in La Liga, once again as visitors, against Sevilla in Matchday 12. Alaves will also visit Osasuna on Sunday.