Real Madrid snatched a 1-1 draw at Valencia in La Liga on Sunday thanks to a strike from Karim Benzema that was aided in essentially the most unlikely vogue by a header from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois within the dying seconds.
The Belgium keeper rushed upfield for Toni Kroos’s last-gasp nook, met the supply with a robust header that his reverse quantity Jaume Domenech may solely parry after which noticed Benzema steer the unfastened ball house.
The 95th minute equaliser allowed second-positioned Real to go stage on 35 factors with leaders Barcelona earlier than they go to their arch rivals within the rescheduled ‘Clasico’ on Wednesday.
Spanish ahead Carlos Soler had put Valencia forward within the 78th minute of a tense and tight recreation, assembly a minimize-again from Daniel Wass and lashing into the online from shut vary.
Real substitute Luka Jovic regarded to have levelled in stoppage time however the effort was dominated out for offside.
The guests, nevertheless, refused to collapse and the late intervention from Courtois helped salvage a degree that preserves his aspect’s lengthy unbeaten run in all competitions, which has been stretched to 11 video games.
“Courtois decided to come up for the corner and that shows that we always want more,” mentioned Real coach Zinedine Zidane.
“We deserved to get the draw because we made a huge effort in the game. This is Real Madrid, where you never give up. We kept believing we could score and in the end we did.”
The purpose prevented Valencia from climbing up to sixth within the standings and so they had been as a substitute left in eighth on 27 factors.
“We came here looking for the three points but we were punished by Valencia’s goal and this point tastes like very little,” added Real captain Sergio Ramos.
“But we were up against a side in great form and this point keeps us level with Barca and now we are focusing on the ‘Clasico’ and getting all three points there.”
Barca’s 2-2 draw at Real Sociedad yesterday meant Real would have gone two factors clear on the high of the standings with victory at Valencia, though they had been up towards a aspect who’ve hit kind after a cease-begin marketing campaign.
MOMENTOUS WIN
Valencia had received their earlier three video games and in midweek had celebrated a momentous 1-zero win at Ajax Amsterdam which took them into the latter phases of the Champions League for the primary time in seven years.
Real additionally had to cope with a poor latest file at Mestalla, the place that they had solely received on one among their earlier 5 league visits.
Zidane opted to relaxation midfield anchor Casemiro for the primary time this season, as the Brazilian would have been suspended from the journey to the Camp Nou if he had picked up a yellow card.
Real coped effectively in his absence, hemming Valencia into their very own half within the first half and it took a positive save from keeper Domenech to stop Kroos from placing Real forward within the first half, whereas Benzema additionally got here shut with a header.
“With everything we did in the game I think we should have scored a few more goals,” mentioned Zidane.
“The point feels like a small reward. In the end, we got an important result but it doesn’t feel that way because we played so well in the first half.”
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