Real Madrid v Valencia as it happened: European champions labour to win
Re-live the action from the Santiago Bernabeu
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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:
64 minutes
First substitution of the game and it's a surprise: Gareth Bale makes way for Marco Asensio.
65 minutes
From a Valencia free-kick, two ex-Arsenal players link up, with Francis Coquelin heading on for Gabriel at the back post, who volleys over from close range. He was reaching for it was the Brazilian, but he should have kept his effort down.
67 minutes
Double substitution for Valencia, as Daniel Wass and Francis Coquelin are replaced by Cristiano Piccini and Geoffrey Kondogbia.
71 minutes
Dani Ceballos is the first Real Madrid player in the book for a trip on Piccini. Changes for both teams as well: Real Madrid's Luka Modric makes way for Federico Valverde and Valencia's Kevin Gameiro comes off for Michy Batshuayi, who of course is on loan from Chelsea.
73 minutes
Big chance for Asensio, who has all the time in the world at the back post but his fierce shot is bravely blocked on the line.
77 minutes
Ceballos goes over in the box clutching his ankle. No foul there at all, and the Spaniard is quickly up on his feet.
78 minutes
It's eventually given offside but how does Batshuayi not beat Courtois?!
Through on goal, the Belgian's shot is saved brilliantly by compatriot Courtois. Replays showed that Batshuayi was well onside, and via VAR that may well have stood if it wasn't for the face of Courtois!
80 minutes
Real use their final substitution and Isco comes on for Ceballos.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Valencia, 83 minutes
That should be enough for Real!
Carvajal breaks clear and after his cross is initially dealt with, Benzema unselfishly squares it for Lucas Vazquez who slots the ball home with his left foot from 12 yards out.
Valencia have been made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal, and that strike should give Real the three points.
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