MADRID, Spain -- Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late equalizer as Real Madrid avoided a bruising derby defeat at Spanish title rival Atletico Madrid with a 2-2 draw on Sunday. Ronaldo pounced on a loose ball inside the area to net the 82nd-minute equalizer -- his 23rd goal of the season for the league leaders. Karim Benzema put Madrid ahead at the Vicente Calderon Stadium after three minutes but, instead of wilting, Atletico hit back with two goals to take the lead by halftime. Koke smashed a low shot beyond Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez, who then watched Gabi Fernandezs swerving effort from 30 metres (yards) fly past him just before the break. Madrid stayed three points ahead of Atletico, but Barcelona was able to cut its deficit to Madrid to one point after a laboured 4-1 win against Almeria at the Camp Nou. Barcelona led 2-0 by the 24th after Alexis Sanchez tapped a rebound into the empty goal before Lionel Messi curled an exquisite left-foot free kick around the defensive wall and into the top of the goal for his 15th league strike of the season. A rout looked in the cards until Angel Trujillo got free to head home a corner in the 27th, and the relegation-threatened club made Barcelona work for its points. Carles Puyol, who had made a rare start, scored an even rarer goal after Messis header came off the bar straight to him in the 83rd minute. Xavi Hernandez scored moments later as the Catalans bounced back from a 3-1 loss to Real Sociedad last weekend. Madrid leads with 64 points, Barcelona has 63, and Atletico is on 61 points. The fifth meeting between crosstown rivals Atletico and Madrid since last Mays Copa del Rey final kept its trademark liveliness and aggression, with Atletico knowing defeat would likely end its dreams of a first title since 1996. "Atletico tried to make the game violent," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. "We dont play that way, however. But they tried right to the end." Atleticos defence played Benzema onside for the France striker to score his 15th of the season, leaving him alone to guide Angel Di Marias cross into the box past goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Ugly confrontations followed as both teams used gamesmanship to try and gain an edge, with Arda Turan booked for protesting in the 11th after Sergio Ramos tripped Diego Costa inside the area with no penalty awarded. But Atleticos pressure paid off in the 28th when Turan spotted Koke inside the area to smash past Lopez. Diego Costa, who will play at the Calderon for Spain on Wednesday, was a physical presence and troubled Madrid throughout. Atletico took the lead in first-half stoppage time when Gabis powerful drive beat the slow-footed Lopez for a deserved lead. In the second half, Lopez kept it close as Atletico found space on the counter with Madrid pressing for an equalizer. Despite being outplayed, Madrids attack finally connected when Gareth Bale failed to control a cross but the ball fell to Ronaldo to extend Madrids unbeaten run in all competitions to 28 games. "Atletico played a bruising style right to the end, when we finally got a chance to play and create opportunities," Ancelotti said. Madrid is unbeaten at the Calderon for 15 games, dating to June 1999. "The result is what it is," Atletico coach Diego Simeone said. "We had chances to win it. At least we showed we are still alive in the title race." Ruben Castros late goal gave bottom side Real Betis a 1-1 draw at 10-man Villarreal, which slipped six points from fourth and the final Champions League spot. Betis was left 11 points from safety. Real Sociedad fell seven points behind fourth-place Athletic Bilbao after Kevin Gameiro skipped through a pair of defenders and netted the rebound from his initial shot to lead Sevilla to a 1-0 victory. Joaquin Larrivey scored as Rayo Vallecano climbed within three points of 17th-place Almeria -- and safety from the drop -- with a 1-0 win over Valencia, which played the last 15 minutes with 10 men. NFL Jerseys China . -- Dee Ford prefers to keep things simple: Play hard and fast, and let others worry about his NFL draft stock. Wholesale NFL Jerseys China .The 24-year-old quarterback spent four seasons at Northern Illinois and in 2013 was a finalist for the Heisman, which is awarded annually to the most outstanding player in U. https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/. The four-time Grand Slam champion has beaten Hantuchova nine straight times, with the Slovaks only win coming when they first played 10 years ago. "I had a tough first opponent who can play extremely good tennis," Sharapova said. Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap . Chris Capuano. Shane Greene. And now, Esmil Rogers. Fake Nike NFL Jerseys . "I wouldnt read anything into what happened Saturday at Torrey Pines," Woods said Tuesday after an 18-hole exhibition for past winners of the Dubai Desert Classic.NEW YORK, N.Y. - Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov said Monday he will not give up control of the team and downplayed the clubs money losses last season as not a big deal.Speaking before the Nets home opener, Prokhorov says he is willing to listen to offers to sell a minority share of the team but that nothing is imminent.There had been reports last month that he had been involved in discussions about selling part of the team, though general manager Billy King said afterward that Prokhorov wouldnt sell his majority stake.My position is that I will not give up control of the team, but you know Im quite happy when somebody is sending me a nice offer without taking my controlling interest, Prokhorov said. I think for the time being nothing is imminent, but still I think its not bad just to listen.Sprinkling humour among his talk about basketball business, the Russian billionaire also joked about the departure of former coach Jason Kidd but added that the Nets shouldnt get mad, I think we should get even.Prokhorov bought the team in 2010 and had set a goal of winning a championship in five years, though the Nets are not considered serious contenders this season.I stay committed to the championship. I think if the stars align, we can do this, Prokhorov said.The bachelor has often said he would get married if the Nets didnt meet his five-year plan, and he said he hasnt begun the search for a bride.By the way, we have lost George Clooney, I think that is eenough for this year, Prokhorov said.ddddddddddddProkhorov signed off a blockbuster trade with Boston last June that brought the Nets Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, and left the Nets with a bill of nearly $200 million in salaries and luxury taxes.ESPN.com had reported that the Nets basketball operations department lost $144 million last season.Its not a big deal just because I personally compensated this money from my pocket and thats why I will keep the structure for the time being, Prokhorov said.They let Pierce leave in free agency, seeming to signal a move toward more fiscal responsibility. But Prokhorov said hes still willing to spend, though wants a balance between veterans and younger players.Kidd spent one season as Brooklyn coach before the Nets let him leave to coach the Milwaukee Bucks after he sought more power within the organization.Asked why the Nets agreed to trade Kidd to the Bucks, Prokhorov said: There is a nice proverb in English. Dont let the door hit you where the good Lord has split you.I think we shouldnt get mad, I think we should get even and well see it on the court, Prokhorov added.Prokhorov only spoke to Nets reporters once last season, when the team played a game in London in January. He said he plans to attend about 25 per cent of their home games, though a team official said she wasnt sure yet if he would remain for their weeklong homestand that includes a game against the rival New York Knicks on Friday. ' ' '