Sergi Guardiola scored an 88th-minute equaliser as Real Valladolid came from behind to draw 1-1 with Real Madrid in Saturday night's La Liga clash at the Bernabeu.
Karim Benzema thought that he had won the contest for Zinedine Zidane's side in the 82nd minute - Valladolid had other ideas, though, and levelled late on to secure a point in the Spanish capital.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's live coverage of the action below.
Evening all and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the La Liga clash between Real Madrid and Real Valladolid from the Bernabeu. Los Blancos opened their 2019-20 season with a 3-1 victory away to Celta Vigo last weekend, while Real Valladolid recorded an impressive 2-1 win at Real Betis. Stay tuned for live minute-by-minute updates of the action!
TEAMS!
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Isco; James, Benzema, Bale
REAL VALLADOLID: Masip; Moyano, Kiko, Salisu, Nacho; Porro, Fede, Michel, Plano; Unal, Guardiola
Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made three changes to the team that started the win over Celta last weekend, with Dani Carvajal, Isco and James Rodriguez coming in for Alvaro Odriozola, Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior. Vinicius has dropped to the bench but Modric is suspended. Gareth Bale keeps his spot in the final third after his impressive performance last weekend.
As for Valladolid, head coach Sergio has shuffled his pack from the win over Betis last weekend with Enes Unal and Pedro Porro among those to come into the XI. It looks to be a 4-4-2 once again with Sergi Guardiola, who opened the scoring against Betis, keeping his spot in attack. Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin – on loan from Real Madrid – starts on the bench.
KICKOFF: Real Madrid kick things off at the Bernabeu...
... as expected, the home side have taken control of the possession in the opening exchanges with Kroos and Casemiro already getting hold of the ball in midfield here.
Bale is again in the XI for Madrid and the Wales international has just shown his incredible pace in a wide area before delivering into the Valladolid box, but Kiko is on hand to make the clearance. Valladolid's back four could be in for a tough match here.
Marcelo this time finds space in a wide area before delivering towards James, but Nacho makes the clearance with the away side coming under a lot of pressure early on here.
Plenty of possession for Madrid as they continue to stretch the pitch, although Masip has not had a save to make in the first eight minutes of this La Liga contest.
Valladolid earn a free kick in a dangerous area as Michel is fouled by Ramos but the resulting free kick comes to nothing. Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock here.
CLOSE! Bale strikes one from outside the Valladolid box, but the attacker's effort is just wide of the post. Smart work from James Rodriguez in the build-up there.
CLOSE! Strike from Marcelo this time but his effort is far too high.
Isco is playing slightly ahead of Kroos and Casemiro here, which is leaving Valladolid with a tough job when it comes to keeping the likes of Benzema, Bale and James quiet.
SHOT! Benzema misses the post for Madrid this time after smart work from Bale, who has been bright in the first 17 minutes of this game. So far, so good for Valladolid, though.
CLOSE! James just misses the post with a clever effort after being found by Marcelo in a dangerous position. The Colombia international has been bright here.
Valladolid are fairly comfortable at the moment despite the fact that Madrid are having a lot of the ball and a series of half-chances. Still goalless with 21 minutes on the clock.
Guardiola and Unal are occupying Madrid's two centre-backs at the moment, and with Plano and Porro both stretching the field, Valladolid are carrying a threat in the capital.
CLOSE! Carvajal delivers a dangerous cross onto the head of Benzema, who sends his effort just wide of the far post. Another half-chance rather than a clear opportunity here.
SHOT! Bale is terrorising the Valladolid defence in the wide positions - the Welshman has just cut inside and unleashed a strike, although the ball was always moving wide of the goal.
SHOT! James fires a free kick over the Valladolid crossbar from a dangerous position - the Colombia international is heavily involved here which will please his head coach.
Little under 15 minutes of the first half remaining, and the score is still goalless at the Bernabeu. Casemiro has just gone down holding his knee following a challenge in the middle of the park, but the midfielder does return to his feet and can continue here.
Strong defending from Ramos to challenge Unal inside the Madrid box, but the offside flag had been raised. Looked onside to be honest - VAR to have a look here?
Play continues without VAR intervening. Both sets of players took the chance to grab a drink while that was happening, which is not a surprise - it is baking at the Bernabeu.
YELLOW CARD! Fede (Valladolid) is booked for a foul on Isco.
CLOSE! James just sends a header from a Kroos cross over the Valladolid goal.
Little over five minutes of the first half remaining, and Valladolid will be pretty pleased with their first half of action despite failing to create a single half-chance of note here.
CLOSE! James sends another one just wide of the post following a smart move involving Marcelo and Benzema. Valladolid are just riding their luck at the moment here.
SAVE! Really smart save from Masip this time as Benzema looks to finish off a move - Madrid are really, really forcing the issue late in the first half of action here.
SAVE! Masip keeps out a header from Bale as the pressure continues.
Zidane did not appear to want either Bale or James in his squad for this season but the pair have been impressive in this first half. Still goalless in the capital, though.
Valladolid almost eased through the first 25 minutes of this match but that is not the case at the moment as the visitors are having to work really hard to keep the score level. A goal for Madrid at this stage of the contest could be huge for both teams.
Guardiola breaks into the Madrid box before looking to deliver into a teammate but the ball runs out for a goal kick. Not too much more of the first half left here.
HALF TIME: REAL MADRID 0-0 REAL VALLADOLID
So there we have it - the referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Madrid have certainly been on the front front and had the majority of the chances, but Valladolid will be pleased with their opening 45 minutes of work here.
STATISTICS! Valladolid only had two attempts in the first half and both of those were off target. Madrid, on the other hand, managed 14 shots in the opening 45 minutes but just two were on target. Just the one booking to report - Fede in the 33rd minute of action.
James Rodriguez has been impressive for Madrid in the first 45 minutes. The Colombia international has been heavily involved in the final third of the field, and is showing that he can certainly play a role for Zinedine Zidane's side during the 2019-20 campaign.
© Reuters
📸💜 Some snaps from the first half#pucela #RealMadridRealValladolid pic.twitter.com/Ilsg4DlWex — Real Valladolid CF EN (@realvalladolidE) August 24, 2019
BENCH WATCH! Jovic, Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius are Zidane's three attacking options on the bench at the Bernabeu, while midfielder Valverde is also available. As for Valladolid, head coach Sergio has options in the shape of Marin, Toni, Fernandez and Antonito.
KICKOFF: Valladolid resume the action here...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not much of a surprise. However, you suspect that Zidane will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
CLOSE! Guardiola sends one just wide of the Madrid post from a dangerous angle.
Bale and James continue to stretch the field for Madrid - Valladolid, though, are defending well with two banks of four and Guardiola alongside Unal in attack.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes with Madrid having all of the ball but struggling to really fashion clear opportunities on home soil.
SHOT! Benzema misses the target for Madrid after a dangerous cross from Isco. Valladolid are really closing the space in central areas but there is room in the wide areas here.
Little over 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and Valladolid are holding onto their clean sheet. The away side have just had a break and Guardiola should have slipped a pass through to Unal but Ramos was on hand to make the clearance.
REAL MADRID SUB! Vinicius Junior replaces James Rodriguez for the home side.
You do get the feeling that there is at least one goal in this match. Valladolid could quite easily score on the counter-attack but the smart money is still on the home side here.
REAL VALLADOLID SUB! Marin replaces Moyano for the away side.
Little under 30 minutes of the second period remaining, and we are still goalless in the Spanish capital. Not too much happening at the moment to be honest.
Kroos delivers a dangerous cross towards Isco - the midfielder's effort is wide but the whistle had actually already been blown with Benzema pushing Marin in the back.
Carvajal breaks down the right before delivering a dangerous cross towards Vinicius but the Brazilian cannot reach it. Benzema then fouls Kiko and Valladolid have a free kick.
Not too much happening for Madrid in the final third at the moment - could Jovic be introduced to join Benzema as a front two? Something needs to change for the hosts.
REAL MADRID SUB! Luka Jovic replaces Isco for the home side.
OFF THE BAR! Oh my word! Jovic heads a Bale cross onto the crossbar with his first touch! Almost a huge moment for the summer arrival, who was excellent for Frankfurt last term.
Valladolid deserve huge credit for their performance in this match. Having beaten Real Betis last weekend, Sergio's side are going to give a number of teams a tough examination this season. Can Madrid find a way through in the latter stages here?
YELLOW CARD! Kroos (Real Madrid) is booked for an elbow on Porro.
Couple of brilliant tackles from Ramos to deny Guardiola and Unal in quick succession with Valladolid looking to strike with a goal of their own in the latter stages here.
Benzema hits the deck and takes off his boot, pointing to his toe. Painful one.
Benzema has limped back onto the field although it remains to be seen whether the striker can finish the match. Still goalless with 79 minutes on the clock here.
CHANCE! Huge chance for Valladolid to make the breakthrough as Nacho delivers a dangerous cross into the Madrid box, but Unal fires wide of the post from close range!
REAL VALLADOLID SUB! Porro is replaced by Antonito for the visitors.
GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 REAL VALLADOLID (BENZEMA)
GOAL! There is the breakthrough! Wonderful goal from Benzema as the striker turns on the edge of the Valladolid box before firing a wonderful effort into the bottom corner. It really is a top-class finish from the Frenchman!
REAL VALLADOLID SUB! Tuhami replaces Fede for the away side.
Valladolid are pressing for a late equaliser and there is certainly time for something to happen in the latter stages of this match. Do not leave us at this point!
GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-1 REAL VALLADOLID (GUARDIOLA)
GOAL! Oh my word! Incredible! Valladolid level the scores in the 88th minute as Plano pokes a low pass into Guardiola and the striker is on hand to score! Kroos had lost the ball in the middle of the park and Plano was quick to find his teammate in a dangerous area!
REAL MADRID SUB! Lucas Vazquez has replaced Karim Benzema late on.
What an incredible finish to this game - is there time for a winner? Valladolid deserve a share of the spoils but there are still two more minutes of added time to play here.
YELLOW CARD! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Plano.
Valladolid are on the front foot at the moment as they threaten with two corners.
YELLOW CARD! Marin (Real Valladolid) is booked for a foul on Lucas.
FULL TIME: REAL MADRID 1-1 REAL VALLADOLID
So there we have it - the referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid drawing 1-1 at home to Real Valladolid. It is certainly two points dropped for Zidane's side, who have been frustrated by a very impressive defensive performance.
That is just about it from me tonight - what a finish to the contest! Be sure to join us again very soon for more live coverage. But for now, it is goodnight!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
