Match Report: Real Madrid beat Valencia in dramatic encounter at Mestalla

There was a lot of talk before the game, and even more after the final whistle blew. Valencia players shouted and pleaded with the referee for a penalty on what appeared to be a clear handball from Mesut Ozil inside the area on the final play of the game. But it would not be given, the whistle was blown and Real Madrid had once again won in Mestalla, this time 3-2, by only a single goal.

The game started far more calmly than it finished, with aggressive, even play on both sides. Dani Parejo nearly headed in a cross from Jérémy Mathieu in the sixth minute, the ball being knocked back out before getting near the goal. Madrid responded with a free kick from Xabi Alonso that they overloaded, leaving space for Sami Khedira to find the ricochet, but he missed wide. Again, a few minutes later Lass Diarra made a long run across the midfield and into the area, sending a cross in front of the goal.  Cristiano Ronaldo’s header was blocked into the feet of Karim Benzema, who drilled the shot wide. Both sides looked actively to score, and had success moving through the midfield and into the area: Valencia with the tandem of Jordi Alba and Mathieu along the left, and Madrid with Ozil and Khedira on the right. Madrid manager José Mourinho had put Benzema, Ronaldo and Özil up front, and the pressure was felt by Valencia throughout. Özil, given the space of winger, played patiently and sat back, letting Khedira make runs with Benzema and Ronaldo.

But the goals would come soon enough. In the 20th minute Xabi Alonso sent a free kick sailing over Valencia’s back line. Benzema controlled the ball with one touch of his right foot and buried the ball with his left around the keeper to the right. After the goal Madrid kept their pressure on without the ball, chasing passes far more than they typically do. Valencia, however, continued attacking, and missed a handful of good chances by jumping offsides.

The best player of the first half was Benzema, who dropped deep and wide, playing quick one-touch passes with the midfield. Valencia did poorly to leave Roberto Soldado mostly alone up front, but played well in the midfield and in their own half. Adil Rami, the centre back, quietly had one of his best games of the season, largely containing Ronaldo. Towards the end of the first half Valencia looked to be getting into a rhythm, but quickly became frustrated after continually failing to convert any of their chances.

Valencia manager Unai Emery made no changes to start the second half, although his half-time speech must have been compelling. Valencia came out much more aggressive in the final third, while more assertive in taking possession. At times Madrid seemed, despite leading, to be trying to catch up. Jordi Alba and Mathieu continued to play well together on the left side, although they had difficulty finding Feghouli or Soldado on any of their crosses.

Early in the second half Tino Costa made a hard tackle on Diarra, which led to a few arguments, and then a few shoves, and a few yellow cards. The cards continued to come in the next fifteen minutes as the run of play was broken up by fouls. It was an unfortunate turn for Valencia, who had just begun to establish a good rhythm, denying Madrid possession and beginning to look threatening in front of the goal. Madrid seemed to be satisfied withdrawing into their own half and trying to beat Valencia on the counterattack. It turned out well for them.

In the 70th minute Ronaldo made a run down the middle but was forced out by Rami.  Ozil took the out swinging cross from the left corner and Sergio Ramos elevated to head the ball into the far right corner. Madrid looked relieved, and Valencia pressed on even harder.

Four minutes later Jonas, who had come on for Parejo, fed Pablo Hernández a pass through the back line. Pablo’s shot was blocked by Casillas, who had come far off his line to break up the play. But the block bounced out to the left of the goal, towards an eager Soldado, who wound up and struck the ball hard into the right corner of the net. Madrid looked flustered again when Soldado nearly doubled his total with a second volley from distance that just barely deflected off Marcelo.

Just as Madrid seemed most disorganized, watching their lead slip away, Ronaldo broke away on the counterattack, beating Rami and having only the keeper, Diego Alves, to beat. Alves came out to meet and Ronaldo, who turned away and around to the left. Ronaldo created space and chipped the ball into the open net.

Valencia continued, however, to press up high. And in the 84th minute Soldado again found himself on the right side of a Madrid mistake. He beat his man only a meter in front of the goal stuck out his foot and skipped a hard, low cross from an unmarked Miguel on the right side of the goal across the goal and behind Casillas. Soldado scored again in the 89th, only to have it called offside’s.

Valencia’s pressure in the second half gave them a chance to salvage a point from the game. The introduction of Jonas and the presence of Jordi Alba all the way up in the final third helped give Soldado support, which unsettled Madrid. Despite allowing three goals, Valencia played well defensively, and disrupted Madrid’s attack. Two of the goals were absolutely brilliant individual plays from Ronaldo and Benzema, which hardly any team in the world can prevent. But Valencia will be frustrated, and Madrid relieved, that the home team took so long to score, and may have missed a chance to tie on the game’s last play. For better or worse, there will be a lot more to talk about.

FT: Valencia 2 ((Soldado 75, 83)  Real Madrid 3 (Benzema 20, Sergio Ramos 72, Ronaldo 79).

Tags: Cristiano Ronaldo, Emery, La Liga, Mestalla, Mourinho, Real Madrid, Valencia