SAINTS surge a late comeback against the Spanish giants to earn a famous point in the Premier League International Cup (PLIC).
Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu provided heroics from kick-off with his hands, however it was his head that proved ever so vital.
Cameron Bragg’s 94th minute corner found the head of a leaping Bazunu, which fell to the feet of Abdulhalim Okunola to provide the equaliser.
Real Madrid opened the scoring in the 75th minute with classy Spanish football.
Quick passes around the box, Captain Bruno Iglesias tapped the ball into Cesar Palacios who heal flicked it onto Thiago Pitarch.
Pitarch opened the body and calmly slotted the ball into the bottom right-hand corner from 15 yards out.
The Saints youngsters started strong from the kick-off, winning early corners and causing the referee to yellow card sloppy Madrid players.
However, once the Los Blancos returned from the break, Saints struggled to find the ball at their feet for two passes.
Skipper Iglesias controlled the tempo deep into the Saints half, with Madrid trickster Daniel Yanez causing problems on the right-hand side.
Yanez’s tricks proved to no avail against the Saints defence, on a yellow card for diving and fellow teammate Daniel Mesonero also on a yellow, Madrid’s reinforcements took place 68 minutes in.
Mesonero and Yanez off, in came Palacios and Pitarch, seven minutes later the breakthrough.
The two Madrid subs provided the Spanish flare a 10,000 strong crowd wanted to see at St Mary’s stadium.
Saints first control of possession in the second half came in the 87th minute.
Southampton’s number nine Baylee Dipepa through on goal, but Madrid keeper Sergio Mestre made a key toe tapping save.
A scrappy ending but Saints deep into the Spanish half, 16-year-old Jake Vallance won a crucial corner with seconds on the clock.
Bazunu came up.
Bazunu got high.
Bazunu’s header.
Okunola’s tap in.
From nothing for 94 minutes, Southampton U21s earned themselves a point against Real Madrid U21s in the PLIC.
Next up for the Saints in the PLIC, AS Monaco on Tuesday 2nd December.
