Real Madrid v Valencia as it happened: European champions labour to win
Re-live the action from the Santiago Bernabeu
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid produced another unconvincing display on Saturday but rode their luck to earn a 2-0 win at home to Valencia which allowed them to climb to fifth in the La Liga standings and soothe their recent troubles.
The European champions, who were humbled 3-0 by Eibar last week, took a fortuitous lead when Valencia midfielder Daniel Wass nodded a Dani Carvajal cross into his own net in the eighth minute after former Arsenal defender Gabriel Paulista had failed to clear the danger.
The visitors, knocked out of the Champions League in mid-week, let Madrid off the hook on three occasions in the second half when Santi Mina and Paulista failed to hit the target with glorious chances from inside the area.
Valencia's Michy Batshuayi was then denied by his fellow Belgian and former Chelsea team mate Thibaut Courtois in the Real goal and moments later, down the other end, Lucas Vazquez sealed a barely deserved yet vital win in the 83rd minute, completing a quick-fire counterattack spearheaded by the tireless Carvajal. Re-live the action below:
Welcome
Good evening and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of Real Madrid vs Valencia. Kick-off is at 7:45pm GMT and we will be brining you all the build-up and team news from 7pm.
TEAM NEWS
Los Blancos make two changes from the side who beat Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday. Sergio Reguilon comes in for Marcelo at left-back, and Dani Ceballos replaces Toni Kroos in midfield.
Here's the Real Madrid starting XI:
The teams are out and we're all set to go here at the Santiago Bernabeu!
KICK-OFF
Valencia, playing in their dark blue away kit, get us underway.
3 minutes
Karim Benzema meets Gareth Bale's cross on the volley with his left-foot, and it goes just wide. Brilliant technique from the Frenchman.
6 minutes
Early yellow card for Valencia defender Gabriel Paulista, after he hauls down Benzema who turned him in the centre-circle.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Valencia, 8 minutes
Early goal for Real Madrid and it's an own goal by Valencia right-back Daniel Wass. He won't want to see this again!
Dani Carvajal does well to keep the ball in play by the by-line, and his cross is clumsily headed into his own net by Wass, who got his bearings completely wrong.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments