Evening all! Sports Mole's La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Cordoba. On paper, these two teams simply cannot be compared. However, football does not work like that. It promises to be a fascinating contest in the capital. Right, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news and there are some surprises in the Madrid side that is for certain.

TEAMS:

MADRID: Casillas; Arbeloa; Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Kroos, Modric; Bale, James, Ronaldo; Benzema

CORDOBA: Carlos; Gunino, Inigo, Pantic, Crespo; Rossi, Garai, Pinillos; Ryder, Lopez Silva; Havenaar

So there we have it. Some interesting team news from the Madrid camp, with Alvaro Arbeloa given the nod at right-back ahead of Dani Carvajal. Cristiano Ronaldo is also fit enough to start despite a recent back problem, while James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos both make their league debuts. Iker Casillas, as expected, is handed the gloves over Keylor Navas, while Pepe returns alongside Sergio Ramos in defence.

27 - Cristiano Ronaldo has scored against ever team he has faced in La Liga - he plays against Cordoba for the first time. Confidence. — OptaJose (@OptaJose) August 25, 2014

Cordoba, meanwhile, have a number of players making their debuts this evening. Aleksandar Pantic and Jose Angel Crespo, who are on loan from Villarreal and Bologna respectively, both start, while Mike Havenaar will lead the line for the newly-promoted outfit, with former Newcastle United forward Xisco not in the XI. There is also a spot in the final third for on-loan Fiorentina striker Ryder Matos.

Real Madrid have not won the league since 2012, watching Barcelona and then Atletico Madrid claim the title over the last two seasons. Los Blancos did win the Champions League and Copa del Rey last term, but the league is the one that the supporters really want. Current champions Atletico and Barcelona will once again be their strongest challengers, with the latter beating Elche 3-0 in their opener last night.

Madrid do enter this match off the back of Spanish Super Cup defeat to Atletico, however. They drew the first leg 1-1 at the Bernabeu last Tuesday, but lost 1-0 in the return at the Vicente Calderon. They have had some injury problems in recent weeks, but it is an extremely strong XI this evening. He plays...

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What about Cordoba? The newly-promoted side booked their spot in La Liga for the new campaign by coming through the Segunda Division playoffs last season, but they needed a stoppage-time equaliser from Uli Davila in the second leg of their clash with Las Palmas to advance into Spain's top flight. To suggest that it has been a busy summer in terms of transfers would be a serious understatement. Investment was needed following their rise into La Liga and head coach David Ferrer has indeed been a very busy man.

It is the first time since the 1971/72 season that Cordoba have been in Spain's top flight. They finished fifth in the 1964-65 campaign, but have spent their recent years in the lower divisions. Indeed, they were in the Segunda B for two years in 2005. It has been some rise into La Liga and they will be keen to put show that they can compete at this level this evening.

PREDICTION: Have a look at what I said about this match on the sofa...

About 6,000 Córdoba fans in the Bernabéu tonight, quite a few green and white shirts outside the away section. — AS English (@English_AS) August 25, 2014

Here we go then. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Can Cordoba cause what would be one of the biggest shocks in La Liga history? Everything is set at the Bernabeu and it is the home side that get the first 45 minutes underway in the Spanish capital. Stay with us...

As expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes. Cordoba will need to stay compact in the early exchanges. You just get the feeling that they need to ride out the opening 10 minutes without conceding. Madrid have come out of the traps as expected at the Bernabeu.

First chance for Madrid to threaten from a free kick as Ronaldo is brought to the ground by Garai some 40 yards from goal. The set piece is taken by Bale, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. I suspect that a certain Ronaldo will be on the next one! Still goalless inside four minutes in the capital.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the opening six minutes, but Madrid remain in control of the ball. Kroos attempts to feed Ronaldo with a through pass, but Carlos is out to collect. Cordoba attempt to break with Ryder, but the Brazilian cannot break past Ramos and the danger is cleared.

PENALTY SHOUT! Ronaldo wants a penalty as he goes down inside the box under pressure from Crespo, but the referee is not interested. Ronaldo is not happy as he sits on the ground.

Half-chance for Cordoba as Havenaar collects a loose pass inside the Madrid box before striking towards the bottom corner, but his effort is wide of the post. Positive signs for the away side.

Half-chance for the home side this time as Modric finds some space outside the Cordoba box before striking one towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Madrid remain in control of the ball, but have not yet really created a clear chance. Cordoba can be pleased with their opening 11 minutes.

It must be said that the Cordoba fans are creating some noise inside the stadium at the moment. They have a right to be pleased as well as their side continue to threaten on the counter. Havenaar again finds some space inside the Madrid box, but the striker handles at the vital moment after moving clear of Pepe.

Crespo is involved in an attacking sense for Cordoba as the defender races down the left before delivering towards Havenaar, but Pepe is on hand to make the block. Not too much is happening for the home side at the moment, with the likes of Bale, James and Ronaldo all struggling to feed Benzema.

Arbeloa is invited forward for Madrid, but the right-back cannot move away from Crespo, who has been impressive thus far. Cordoba have been able to ride out the opening 18 minutes at the Bernabeu.

BOOKING! Pinillos goes into the book for Cordoba for bringing Arbeloa to the ground in a wide position. Slightly harsh, but Madrid now have a free kick in a dangerous position...

CHANCE! Modric rolls the resulting free kick to the edge of the box, where Ronaldo smashes one towards the bottom corner, but the Cordoba goalkeeper makes a really smart save.

Cordoba have a free kick of their own as Modric brings Havenaar to the ground. The set piece is delivered by Rossi, but Benzema is on hand to clear. Cordoba have more than matched Madrid in the opening 22 minutes.

Possession football from Madrid in the last few minutes, but they are finding it difficult to break through in the final third. Arbeloa moves the ball from right to left, before Bale collects on the opposite side, but Crespo is across to clear for a corner. Still goalless with little over 20 minutes of the half to play.

Bale forces another corner from Crespo, who has arguably been the best player on the pitch thus far. The resulting set piece is delivered towards Ronaldo, but once more the danger is cleared. Ramos has the chance to test Carlos from close range moments later, but his effort is straight at the Cordoba stopper.

CHANCE! Madrid are knocking at the door here as Kroos strikes one from just outside the box, but Carlos is on hand to make the save once more. The tempo has been lifted by the home side.

Cordoba remain extremely difficult to break down in the final third as Rossi comes across to clear another corner, hurting himself in the process. Madrid are camped out in the Cordoba half, but cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. Still goalless with 30 minutes on the clock at the Bernabeu.

The home side lead with 30 minutes on the clock as Benzema fires a bullet header into the top corner from a Kroos set piece. Sensational leap from the Frenchman - his goal drought is over.

In truth, it had been coming. Cordoba were conceding too much possession in the middle of the park. You just get the feeling that the away side need to get in at half time without conceding another.

Another half-chance for the home side as James strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the Cordoba goalkeeper. Little over 10 minutes of the first period to play. Just a reminder that Atletico Madrid are in action later this evening away at Rayo Vallecano.

Lopez Silva has a half-chance for Cordoba after finding some space in the final third, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Slight sign of encouragement for the visitors.

Madrid continue to threaten as Marcelo delivers a dangerous cross towards Bale, but Crespo turns behind for another corner. Kroos once again delivers towards Ronaldo, but Inigo Lopez manages to clear.

Havenaar is doing his best to run the line for Cordoba, but the powerful striker is receiving no help in the final third. It is almost like a training match at the moment as Madrid continue to camp in the Cordoba half. Kroos strikes another from outside the box, but Lopez blocks and the danger is forced clear.

Marcelo and Arbeloa are both playing like wingers at the moment as the home side continue to dominate possession of the ball. The former threatens with a cross towards Ronaldo, but Rossi is on hand to clear. It is imperative that Cordoba do not concede another goal before the half-time break.

Arbeloa takes a bit of a risk inside his own box under pressure from Pinillos, but the right-back does manage to clear. Some good pressure from Cordoba in the latter stages of the half.

CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance! Cordoba should be level here as Havenaar meets a corner from the left, but his header flashes wide of the post. Casillas was nowhere near it!

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Real Madrid leading courtesy of a powerful header from Benzema. Cordoba have had their moments, however, and missed a wonderful chance late in the first period through Havenaar, who planted a free header just wide with Casillas stranded.

STATS! The home side have dominated the ball with 69% possession, while they have had nine attempts, five of which have been on target. Cordoba, however, have failed to hit the target with any of their three attempts. There has been just the one booking, with Pinillos carded for Cordoba.

BENCH WATCH! Real Madrid are without a recognised striker on their bench this evening, but the likes of Isco, Alonso and Khedira are all capable of making an impact. Cordoba, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Fede, Fidel and Xisco.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that Cordoba need to score the next goal if they are to take something from the match. Right, the visitors get the second 45 minutes underway on what is a warm evening in the Spanish capital.

SUB! Cordoba have made a change at the break, with Fede replacing Pinillos.

CHANCE! Havenaar continues to cause problems for Madrid as the Cordoba forward comes close to meeting a cross from Crespo, but Ramos just manages to clear. The tall forward has been very dangerous this evening despite his side struggling for possession of the ball.

Havenaar is again the target for the long cross, with Fede delivering towards the head of the striker, but Ramos is on hand to clear once more. The resulting corner is delivered towards the far post, but Lopez heads over the crossbar. Very good start to the second period from the away side.

CHANCE! Matos is next to threaten for Cordoba after breaking into the Madrid box, but his effort is straight at Casillas. Cordoba are causing all sorts of problems at the moment.

Cordoba continue to enjoy possession of the ball in the Madrid half, but you just get the feeling that they are going to be made to regret missed opportunities. Madrid have hardly started in the second period, however, and Ancelotti does not look best pleased on the sidelines. The Bernabeu is quiet at the moment.

Half-chance for the home side as James delivers a brilliant free kick from the left, but Carlos just manages to beat Ronaldo to the ball. Slightly better from Madrid in the last couple of minutes.

James is again involved outside the Cordoba box as the Colombian combines with Benzema, but his final effort is wide of the post. Cordoba just need to keep it tight at the back.

Rayo again threaten as Fede finds some space outside the box before delivering a dangerous cross into Havenaar, but Ramos is across to clear. End-to-end football as Madrid break down the other end with Ronaldo, but the Portuguese still does not look fully fit following his recent injury problems.

BOOKING! Garai goes into the book for Cordoba for a late challenge on Modric.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Madrid to score a second as James meets a loose ball inside the Cordoba box, but Carlos is on hand to make a brilliant save. Super goalkeeping.

SUB! Cordoba make their second change of the match as Matos is replaced by Fidel.

Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, but Cordoba continue to threaten with Fede and Fidel both delivering dangerous balls. Madrid are down the other end with Ronaldo moments later, but the forward had moved into an offside position. Still 1-0 Madrid with 64 minutes played.

SUB! Third change for Cordoba as Xisco replaces Havenaar.

The home supporters are not best pleased to say the least at the moment as Madrid continue to struggle in the final third. Little over 20 minutes remaining and just one goal separates the two teams.

Another half-chance for the away side as Pantic meets a loose ball outside the Madrid box, but his effort is high and wide. Moments before, Cordoba had threatened with two corners in quick succession. I just cannot believe how even this game is at the moment. There is simply nothing in it.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Cordoba think they have levelled when Xisco taps home from close range, but the striker had been in an offside position when he found the back of the net. Wow!

SUBS! Madrid make two changes as Isco and Carvajal replace Arbeloa and James.

Little over 15 minutes remaining and it is still frustrating for the home supporters as attack after attack breaks down in the final third. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match and one more for Madrid would surely end the contest. It would be harsh on Cordoba, who have been very impressive.

SUB! Third Madrid change as Khedira replaces Benzema.

Defensive change from Ancelotti, which tells you everything about this game at the moment. Cordoba are so dangerous each time they break into the final third, with Fidel and Fede both impressing.

Comfortable for Madrid in the last couple of minutes, with Khedira and Isco both making a difference to the control in the middle of the park. Carvajal delivers a dangerous cross into Ronaldo, but Carlos collects before releasing Fidel down the other end. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.

Few would have predicted that there would be just one goal separating these two teams at this stage of the match. As it stands, Madrid will indeed claim all the points, but Cordoba have caused them problems, especially in the second period. Can Madrid rally in the final 10 minutes or so?

CHANCE! Just about the best chance of the second period for the home side as Ronaldo picks out Bale with a fine cross, but his header is straight into the body of the Cordoba goalkeeper.

Just a reminder that following this match, Atletico Madrid are in action against Rayo Vallecano - be sure to remain with us for that one. Right, little under five minutes remaining and still just the one goal in the match. It is the Cordoba supporters making most of the noise at this stage of proceedings.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Ronaldo has the ball in the back of the net for Madrid after collecting a through pass from Modric, but the Portuguese is flagged offside once again.

Plenty of possession for Cordoba in the last couple of minutes, but they are now finding it more difficult to force the issue in the final third. Is there to be late, late drama here?

Madrid have their second in the final minute as Ronaldo lashes one into the top corner from outside the box. The goalkeeper might have done better, but it bounced just before Carlos.

We are into the third of three additional minutes at the Bernabeu.

CHANCE! Fidel comes close to registering for Cordoba after collecting a loose ball outside the box, but his effort just moves wide of the post.

So there we have it. Real Madrid open their La Liga season with a 2-0 win over a spirited Cordoba side. Thanks for joining Sports Mole and be sure to remain with us for Rayo against Atletico!