Real Madrid coach Juande Ramos hailed his side's fighting spirit and self-belief after they turned seemingly certain defeat into a remarkable derby victory against Getafe at the Bernabeu.
Madrid twice battled back from a goal down - the second time with just six minutes of normal time remaining - but still looked set to lose after Getafe won an 88th-minute penalty in an incident that also saw home defender Pepe sent off.
However, just when a third successive defeat to their local rivals looked a certainty, and with it the probable end of their Primera Division title hopes, Madrid fought back from the brink.
First, Iker Casillas saved Javi Casquero's dismal penalty and then, as the game entered stoppage time, Gonzalo Higuain slammed a left-footed drive into the roof of the Getafe net to earn 10-man Madrid an astonishing 3-2 victory.
That triumph means Madrid have now taken 49 out of a possible 51 points and halved the six-point deficit to leaders Barcelona, who face a tough home match against Sevilla tonight.
"Real Madrid are a club who are used to these types of comeback, and this team is characterized by the way it always fights to the end," said Ramos.
"A number of unexpected things happened, but the team had faith and were able to turn the scoreline around. Whilst there is still a mathematical chance to win the title, we will fight with all our strength."
What makes Madrid's late fightback all the more remarkable was that it came after the team had produced one of their worst 45-minute displays of the season in the first half.
Ramos, though, believes that poor opening period could have contributed to his side's late fireworks.
"I feel that because of our weak performance in the first half we were forced to make an epic finish in order to win the game," he added.
The victory may have come at a cost though, with Pepe picking up a red card and almost certainly an increased ban for his actions after being sent off, when he twice appeared to kick out at Casquero and strike Juan Albin in the face.
Arjen Robben, having been sent on at half-time, also managed just 18 minutes of last night's game before being forced back off again with a leg injury.
It remains to be seen how long the Dutchman is out for, but it seems doubtful he will be fit for this weekend's trip to Sevilla.
Also missing for that match is last night's two-goal hero Higuain after he picked up a yellow card for diving in the area that means he is now suspended.
However, Ramos confirmed they would be appealing against that decision.
Real's Pepe shows remorse after heated exchange
Real Madrid defender Pepe has apologized for his actions during a heated derby victory against Getafe, and admits he fully expects to be made an example of when his punishment is handed out.
Pepe was left shame-faced and awaiting certain censure following an incident late on in the 3-2 win after he had conceded a penalty for pushing over Getafe midfielder Javi Casquero as he broke through on goal.
Whilst Casquero was still on the floor Pepe twice appeared to kick out at the visiting skipper, and then, after being shown the red card, in an ensuing melee the Portugal international struck Getafe forward Juan Albin in the face.
The Portugal international then had to be pushed off the pitch by Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas.
Pepe said: "I feel very bad, nothing like that has ever happened before in my career. The only thing I can do is say sorry to every football fan because my actions were not good.
"Many people know that I'm not like this, but I was caught up in a very heated game.
"I'm sorry to Casquero, Albin, to the players, their families, the officials and fans. Now I have to wait and see what happens."
It remains to be seen how serious Pepe's punishment is but Madrid only have six games left this season, the next two of which could prove decisive as Juande Ramos' side face third-placed Sevilla this weekend and then Primera Division leaders Barcelona.
"I know that I must be punished, primarily to set an example, but I've shown in my career that I don't do these sorts of things," Pepe said.
"It was a very ugly incident on the pitch, I was very heated, but I'm human and I make mistakes, but the important thing is that I know I did wrong and for that I say sorry, not only to my fans, but to everybody.
"Nothing has happened to me like that before."
