MADRID: Atletico Madrid squandered the chance to inflict a heavy blow on Real Madrid`s La Liga title hopes on Sunday as Karim Benzema`s late equaliser earned the champions a 1-1 draw and kept them in the race at the top.

Luis Suarez`s flicked finish early in the first half looked to be enough to give Atletico a crucial win that would have put them eight points clear of their opponents, with a game in hand.

But they failed to make their authority count and Benzema punished them in the 88th minute, his goal earning Real Madrid a draw that ensures the gap between the two city rivals stays at five points.

The title race remains very much in Atletico`s favour but still up for grabs, especially for Barcelona, who were perhaps the biggest beneficiaries of this result.

Barca, whose members were voting in the club`s new president on Sunday, now sit three points behind Atletico, having played a game more. They also face Simeone`s side at Camp Nou in May.

Kieran Trippier played his first game since January after serving his 10-week han for breaking betting rules while Benzema proved his worth again, after being deemed fit enough to start following time out with a groin strain.-AFP