Real Madrid escaped losing points in the last seven minutes on Friday evening. Carlo Ancelotti’s team had a hard time visiting Real Valladolid and needed the help of the excellent goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to stay on their feet. Karim Benzema completed the job by first completing a penalty and then a razor-sharp counter: 0-2. Real takes over the lead with a point ahead of Barcelona, which will play against Espanyol on New Year’s Eve.
Ancelotti made no less than five changes compared to the last game before the World Cup. Luka Modric and Aurélien Tchouameni got a rest after an exhausting participation in the tournament and started on the bench. The midfield was formed for the occasion by Dani Ceballos, Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde. Up front, Marco Asensio got the chance as right striker, next to eye-catchers Benzema and Vinícius Júnior.
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It would have been with almost any other goalkeeper… but not Courtois! ?????? Live now!
?? Ziggo Sport (channel 14 & Select) #ZiggoSport #LaLiga #RealValladolidRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/faUb9BK4IO— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) December 30, 2022
Real started the game strongly and claimed a penalty after thirteen minutes, when Javi Sánchez clearly touched the ball with his arm just in front of his own goal. However, the defender of Valladolid first hit it with his foot, so that it could not be a penalty according to referee José Luis Munuera Montero. Real also received no help from the VAR. Only a few minutes later, the Madrilenians should have taken the lead on their own. After a half-stopped attempt by Vinícius, the ball ended up at the feet of Benzema, who shot from five meters high.
Courtois distinguished himself for the first time after more than half an hour by stylishly tapping a shot from Álvaro Aguado out of the cross. Real also had to call on the Belgian goalkeeper several times in the second half. In particular, Courtois’s save on a Sergio León header, which he quickly tapped from the bottom corner, was very admirable. Real itself did not create too much anymore and seemed to be heading for a loss of points. However, a new handball from Sánchez, who also hit the ball with his arm before the break, was penalized in the final phase of the match. The defender unfortunately got the ball on an outstretched arm after a header from Antonio Rüdiger.
WHO ELSE?! ????? Benzema saves the points: 1-0 for Real Madrid! ??
Hands, VAR, red, penalty, goal: too much for one tweet… so check the video ??? he has already scored the 2-0??#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #RealValladolidRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/wovM2RYZY9
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) December 30, 2022
Benzema took advantage of the perfect opportunity and sent goalkeeper Jordi Masip towards the wrong corner: 0-1. In the commotion that arose around the penalty, León received a direct red card. Real countered ice-cold to the decisive goal, set up by substitute Eduardo Camavinga. The midfielder broke through on the left and passed low to Benzema, who cleverly accepted and controlled a corner: 0-2.
| No. | Team | m | W | G | v | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barcelona | 14 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 28 | 37 |
| 2 | RealMadrid | 14 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 19 | 35 |
| 3 | Atletico Madrid | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 9 | 27 |
| 4 | real society | 14 | 8 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 26 |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 10 | 25 |
| 6 | RealBetis | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 25 |
| 7 | Rayo Vallecano | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 23 |
| 8 | Osasuna | 14 | 7 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 23 |
| 9 | Villarreal | 14 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 21 |
| 10 | valencia | 14 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 19 |
| 11 | Real Majorca | 15 | 5 | 4 | 6 | -2 | 19 |
| 12 | Girona | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | -2 | 17 |
| 13 | Almeria | 15 | 5 | 2 | 8 | -6 | 17 |
| 14 | Getafe | 15 | 4 | 5 | 6 | -6 | 17 |
| 15 | Real Valladolid | 14 | 5 | 2 | 7 | -8 | 17 |
| 16 | Celta de Vigo | 15 | 3 | 4 | 8 | -12 | 13 |
| 17 | Espanyol | 14 | 2 | 6 | 6 | -6 | 12 |
| 18 | Seville | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -9 | 12 |
| 19 | Cadiz | 15 | 2 | 6 | 7 | -17 | 12 |
| 20 | Elche | 15 | 0 | 4 | 11 | -23 | 4 |