Real Madrid dropped points at the Bernabeu for only the second time this season when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Zaragoza on Saturday in the Spanish Primera Liga game overshadowed by this week's bomb attacks in the city.
There was a sombre atmosphere at the stadium as the players of both sides walked on to the pitch carrying a white banner emblazoned with a black ribbon of mourning and wearing black armbands.
At one end of the stadium supporters unfurled a huge Spanish flag during the minute's silence that preceded the match and many of the 70,000 fans held aloft flags and banners in memory of the 200 victims of Thursday's train bombings.
Real, fielding several second-string players, took the lead just before the half hour when reserve striker Javier Portillo headed in at the far post after a fine cross from midfielder Juanfran.
But Zaragoza, who play Real in next week's King's Cup final, hit back four minutes later when defender Delio Toledo nodded in an angled header after a corner.
The result left Real seven points clear of Valencia at the top of the table, but Rafa Benitez's side can cut the deficit if they win away at relegation-threatened Celta Vigo on Sunday.
There was an understandably muted start to the match at the Bernabeu, and Real, missing leading scorer Ronaldo and fellow striker Raul, were slow to find their rhythm.
The game eventually sparked into life midway through the first half when Real defender Roberto Carlos's thundering 25-metre free kick was tipped over the bar by Zaragoza keeper Cesar Lainez.
Eight minutes later Real took the lead when Portillo, who has spent most of the season on the bench deputising for Ronaldo, headed in from close range after second-string midfielder Juanfran weaved his way in from the right.
But Zaragoza were back on level terms just four minutes later, Paraguayan international Toledo popping up unmarked at the far post to score with an angled header after a corner.
Real coach Carlos Queiroz threw on Luis Figo and Guti early in the second half in an attempt to spice up the midfield but they were unable to help their side break down the well-drilled Zaragoza defence.
It was the visitors who came closest to grabbing all three points when they unleashed several dangerous attacks late in the game.
Real keeper Iker Casillas produced a perfectly timed save to snatch the ball from the feet of midfielder Luciano Galletti after he had beaten the offside trap, and striker Goran Drulic hit the post after a slick passing move 12 minutes from time.
More from rediff