Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti said before their clash at the Mestalla that he would remind his players that his side had been defeated twice in recent years after the Christmas holidays. They got the memo just in time to oust hapless Valencia in Carlos Corberan's first match.
Los Che were the better side for the first half hour, creating three clear openings, all thwarted by Thibaut Courtois, before they managed to break the deadlock. Courtois was again on hand to stop Javi Guerra's effort after Valencia's final flowing move after Dimitri Foulquier knocked the ball back for him. However, the big Belgian was helpless to prevent Hugo Duro drifting in for the opener, unfollowed by the defense on the rebound.
Real Madrid then immediately came alive, pushing forward and flying several long-range efforts into Stole Dimitrievski's path. His first save of note, however, came from Vinicius Junior, as Dani Ceballos slipped him into the penalty area and the North Macedonian put a big foot out to deny the Brazilian. However, the drama was just beginning.
Not long into the second period, Real Madrid were awarded a penalty after Kylian Mbappe raced behind Cesar Tarrega. However, it wasn't Mbappe who stepped up and passed the ball to Jude Bellingham, but he couldn't beat the inside of the post with a stuttering run-up. Not one to dwell on the mistake, Bellingham turned provider for a brilliant Mbappe finish, rounding Dimitrievski to equalize on the hour mark – only for VAR to intervene this time and rule the Frenchman marginally offside.
Corberan's side looked like they had weathered the storm somewhat going into the latter stages, and when Vinicius raised his hands to Dimitrievski's face the Brazilian was manhandled down the tunnel – by Antonio Rudiger after being sent off .
However, Ancelotti didn't blink, and neither did Luka Modric when he had a golden opportunity to equalize. Introduced a few minutes earlier, Brahim Diaz, another substitute for Rodrygo Goes after missing a golden opportunity, won the ball high up the pitch and fed Bellingham. This time his cute ball at the back was not lost as Modric timed his run perfectly and finished with confidence.
As stoppage time expired, Valencia looked to be finishing the match, but Real Madrid, ever ambitious, were the ones who looked like they had more in the tank. When the pressure turned to Foulquier, his loose pass was narrowly met by Hugo Guillamon. He could only poke the ball into Bellingham's path, and the Englishman's finish was one you'd expect from the number nine he turns into in the box. Los Che were sunk, except for one last cannonball from Luis Rioja. His strike beat Courtois all the way and landed cruelly against the inside of the post with the final kick of the match.
Real Madrid top the table for the first time this season, with a five-point lead over rivals Barcelona, edging out Atletico Madrid by a two-point margin, even though their city rivals still have a game in hand. It was an epic comeback that was so lacking in large parts of the game, but doesn't get the credit it deserves because of their habit of doing just that. Valencia will be unhappy not to have taken any points from the match after a spirited but inconsistent performance. Corberan may sleep better for the performance, but the four-point gap to safety makes for a bleak journey home from Mestalla.
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