Rusty Real Madrid fell four points behind Barcelona in La Liga after being held to a 1-1 draw at Las Palmas on Thursday night.
It was a tie for the second time in a row when Los Blancos opened a three-game stretch that saw them climb to five points, while their fierce rivals started well.
Kylian Mbappe's wait for a goal or assist in La Liga extended to three games and the French star undoubtedly outshone former Sheffield United striker Oli McBurnie on a clear night at the Estadio de Gran Canaria.
Oli McBurnie has been involved in more goals in La Liga (1) than Kylian Mbappé (0). 😅 pic.twitter.com/D33a7cgcLY
– Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 29, 2024
Alberto Moleiro put Los Amarillos ahead after just five minutes following a fine pass from McBurnie, who moved to the club this summer after his Blades contract expired following relegation from the Premier League.
Moleiro collected his pass in space and hustled between two defenders before firing a shot past Thibaut Courtois in the corner.
Almost two minutes later a cross was deflected into the path of McBurnie, 28, who has played 16 times for Scotland, who slipped as he tried to connect inside the six-yard box and saw his effort blocked by Eder Militao.
Former Barca and Valencia goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen saved Federico Valverde's free-kick just before the half-hour mark.
The visitors came back well in the middle of the second half when Lucas Vasquez rushed forward and fired a cross into the box which was said to have hit Alex Suarez in the arm.
Vinicius Junior plucked up the courage to shoot past Cillessen's dive, who guessed well, to level the scores.
Although Mbappe had one effort over the bar and fired another wide after escaping his marker, Madrid's expected attack never materialized, despite the introduction of Brazilian star Endrick in the closing stages.
It was Las Palmas who thought they might have won it in the 88th minute when sub Viti Rozada hit the ball that was lying on the roof of the net following a free-kick, until the goal was ruled out for offside in the building.
The decision ensured that Madrid's unbeaten run in La Liga extended to 35 games, but fell some way short of last season's high.
Ollie McBurnie vs Kylian Mbappe.
Today at 20:30.The world is not ready for this. pic.twitter.com/0Xjs4L5J35
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) August 29, 2024
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