Real Madrid went into the game knowing that a win would see them move to within one point of their city rivals in second, however, they came up against a predictably stubborn Atletico side and an inspired Jan Oblak between the sticks.
The hosts were the better side in the opening exchanges and went close when Toni Kroos's left-wing corner was flicked on by Gareth Bale - restored to the starting lineup for this one - but Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to improvise a finish and convert with his thigh at the far post and Oblak gathered.
Kroos was left incensed a minute later as he appeared to be tripped by Juanfran inside the penalty area, only for the referee to wave play on. That decision was almost rendered irrelevant as Marco Asensio rattled the crossbar with the loose ball but Kroos was still furious minutes later as he earned himself a heap yellow card.
At the other end, Diego Costa had the ball in the net with 19 minutes gone but the whistled had already gone for a foul on Sergio Ramos.
Ronaldo tested Oblak with a rasping drive as the half went on, before the visiting goalkeeper did well to smother Raphael Varane as he latched on to a knockdown from another Kroos set-piece.
Atletico were the next to threaten as Costa streaked away in the right-hand channel on the counter, but he opted to go himself rather than square to Antoine Griezmann and Keylor Navas denied him at the near post.
As the half came to a close 'Lo Blancos' were twice inches away from an opener, as Marcelo saw a right-footed curled cannon back off the bar, before Oblak pawed away Dani Carvajal's powerful follow-up.
- Level at the break -
With that, the two sides went in level at the break, but it didn't stay that way for long.
With just eight minutes of the second period played the hosts had the lead and it was a familiar name on the scoresheet.
Gareth Bale was given far too much space to cross down the left and he picked out Ronaldo in the middle.
The Portuguese dropped off the shoulder of his marker at the far post before meeting the cross plum on the volley, with his effort flashing past Oblak and into the bottom corner so score for his 10th consecutive Real Madrid game.
April 8, 2018
Despite the setback though, Atletico responded within four minutes. Thomas Partey fed Griezmann in the box and he found Vitolo, who was able to prod the ball back into the path of the Frenchman to convert from 12 yards and in doing so, become the first Atletico Madrid player to score in three consecutive La Liga away games against Real Madrid.
April 8, 2018
Keylor Navas had to be at his very best minutes later to keep out a fierce Koke volley as Atletico began to threaten on the counter, but it was the hosts who went closest to claiming all three points.
Bale headed a Carvajal cross just wide, whilst substitute Luka Modric's saw a volley flash past the post with Oblak scrambling.
The drama was still to come though as Oblak made arguably his best save of the game in stoppage time to keep out Sergio Ramos' free-kick and ensure that the game ended 1-1.
The result leaves Real Madrid in third, two points ahead of Valencia, though 'Los Ches' have a game in hand. Atletico, meanwhile, remain second.
Attentions now turn to this week's European encounters, with both sides looking to make it through to the semi-finals of their respective competitions.
April 8, 2018