Ronaldo heads wide of the target! The Real Madrid forward is picked out at the back post, but can only flick his header beyond the far post. So near, but yet so far, for the visitors.
90' +1
There are four minutes of second-half stoppe time for Real Madrid to grab an equaliser. Bale is picked out by a cross from the right, but heads straight at Enzo Perez's body, before Marcelo shoots high and wide of the target from outside the box.
90'
Dani Parejo gets yellow.
Marcelo curls a cross in from the right, but Garay heads clear before Ronaldo can get there, as Real Madrid's relentless crosses continue to be dealt with. Moments later, Vazquez directs a volley in from the right, but Mangala stretches out to make a desperate clearance. This game is going right down to the wire, with Sergio Ramos rifling a half-volley wide of the far post.
Parejo picks up a booking for tugging on an opponent's shirt cynically.
88'
Carvajal curl in a cross while Parejo is on the floor with cramp, but Diego Alves punches half-clear. The ball remains in the penalty box and pinball ensues, with Ramos backheeling it into a dangerous area. Bale shoots from close-range and a deflection loops the ball into the air, with Diego Alves palming away under pressure from Ronaldo - which the referee penalises the Real Madrid star for.
86'
Real Madrid are switching the ball from flank to flank, probing for a gap, but a cross from Vazquez eventually dips out of play at the far post. Mestalla's crowd are starting to belief, with the home fans making a lot of noise to try and urge their men over the finish line. Less than five minutes are on the clock to see out.
84'
Ronaldo is found in space on the right, but a cross from the Portugal international is headed to safety by Mangala. Valencia mount a counter-attack immediately, but Marcelo cuts it out with a questionable challenge. Yet again, when the visitors try and respond similarly, Bale is caught offside.
82'
Perez finds Gaya out on the left-hand side, but a looping cross from the wide man can only be kept in play by Munir at the far byline. Real Madrid respond with an attack of their own, but a poor pass from Ronaldo finds Bale in an offside position. Not long is left for Zidane's men to try and salvage three points from a desperate situation.
80'
Ronaldo drills a free-kick attempt into the wall, with Ramos then caught offside when the rebound is looped into the box by the same man. Real Madrid are running out of ideas, with the hosts happy to retain their shape and not opt to go with an out-and-out advanced striker up top. Parejo is trying to hold the ball up whenever he can.
78'
Casemiro blasts a terrible effort a long way over the crossbar, with the clock ticking down on Real Madrid here. Sergio Ramos is forced to go back to Navas, with Parejo closing down the goalkeeper and forcing him to hack a rushed clearance away. Valencia are chasing and harrying until the very end.
76'
Lucas Vázquez enters the game and replaces L. Modrić.
Modric is sacrificed, with Vazquez introduced. Bale will be pushed out to the left, with Real Madrid going with two up top.
Parejo is the latest man to be brought down by a rash challenge, as this game slows right down. Voro will be pleased that this contest has become quite attritional, Real Madrid are being dragged down to the level of his tiring, battling players.
Minute
Description
74'
Mario Suárez enters the game and replaces S. Zaza.
Zaza is withdrawn after taking a blow to his knee, with Mario Suarez injected into the midfield battle. Munir will lead the line up top.
73'
Nacho enters the game and replaces R. Varane.
Varane takes his leave after a dismal showing, with Nacho coming into the game with fresh confidence.
72'
Parejo releases Munir forward down the right-hand side, but Marcelo gets back goalside nicely. The Valencia winger cuts onto his left foot, but Sergio Ramos dispossesses him with ease. Real Madrid continue, despite Zaza going down with an injury, and the home fans are absolutely furious.
70'
Bale curls in a teasing delivery from the right-hand side, but Diego Alves manage to snaffle the ball just ahead of the lurking Ronaldo. Some physical tackles are being thrown in at this stage of the contest, with the visitors getting gradually more wound-up by Valencia willing cynicism.
68'
Big chance for Zaza! The Italian forward gallops forward, taking advantage of some terrible footwork from Varane. After nipping in behind the back four, the ex-Juventus striker is faced up by the goalkeeper, who claims the ball with the aid of Carvajal. He wants a penalty for a push.
67'
E. Mangala gets yellow.
Mangala races over to the left flank, before clattering through Benzema. An easy yellow card to give. The resulting free-kick comes to nothing, due to the referee giving a foul Valencia's way for pushing.
66'
Carvajal bends in a cross from the right-hand side, with Ronaldo able to knock down an unselfish header at the back post. Modric and Mangala are left to react to the loose ball, but Diego Alves gets there first and pounces upon it. Valencia then respond with a break down the left, but Siqueira can only gift possession away.
64'
Less than half an hour remains for Bale to help inspire a come-back, but as it stands Real Madrid will be losing out on the chance to extend their lead atop LaLiga further. Valencia are still working hard and defending viciously, but Marcelo is causing problems on the overlap. The Brazilian drills in a sizzling cross-cum-shot, but it hurtles into the side netting.
62'
G. Bale enters the game and replaces J. Rodríguez.
James Rodriguez takes his leave, with Gareth Bale having the chance to make a late impact.
61'
Great work from Parejo! The Valencia midfielder dances beyond two defenders, before forcing a great save out of Navas at the near post from a tight angle. The hosts get themselves a corner as a result, but Parejo's set-piece delivery is awful. Wasteful, but at least his back four get some respite.
59'
R. Varane gets yellow.
Varane gets booked for raising his foot dangerously to catch Gaya in the face.
58'
Carvajal bends in a cross from the right-hand side, but Valencia head clear, with Mangala and Garay spending much of this second half in their own penalty box. Narrowly over half an hour remains for a Real Madrid comeback, with Zidane gesticulating wildly on the touchline.
56'
Carlos Soler enters the game and replaces Fabián Orellana.
Orellana is replaced by Soler, as Voro tries to strengthen the middle of his midfield.
Kroos sees another shot deflected away for a corner, but all of this visiting pressure isn't asking too many questions from Diego Alves in the opposition goal. Zaza is looking rather isolated up front, with his teammate gradually creeping deeper and deeper. An equaliser seems inevitable, at this point.
54'
E. Pérez gets yellow.
Benzema tries to shoot on the turn, but the Frenchman is denied while pivoting, with the visitors ramping up the pressure. Ronaldo races into the box and goes down under pressure from Mangala, but the referee says no. It did appear that the Portuguese striker was looking for the spot-kick there.
Perez gets a yellow card for a very late tackle on Marcelo at the edge of the Valencia box.
52'
Marcelo tries his luck from a tight angle on the left, but to no avail, before James swings a cross in from the right. The Colombian's delivery is caught simply by Diego Alves, who comes a long way off his line to get there. Voro's men are playing negatively and it seems like Real Madrid are getting into their stride.
50'
Real Marid have started this second half as they finished the first - on the hunt for a goal. Kroos unleashes a shot from long range, but Enzo Perez makes a block to deflect the ball behind for a corner. The resulting set-piece is initially met at the near post by Ronaldo, but Orellana hoofs the rebound away.
48'
Benzema gets to the left byline and then cuts a ball back well to Marcelo. The Brazilian left-back shoots from close-range, but drills his effort straight at Mangala. Valencia have a lot of players congesting the edge of their penalty area, leaving Zaza to chase lost causes up top.
46'
We are back underway at Mestalla! Ronaldo's goal could be the start of an important Real Madrid comeback, or it could be just a consolation strike in a real LaLiga upset. We shall see how it plays out.
45' +1
There are two minutes of first-half stoppage time.
45'
Ronaldo unleashes an absolute howitzer from the edge of the box, which is deflected wide of the target for a corner. The resulting set-piece is flicked away, with Modric unable to do anything threatening with the rebound.
44'
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored a goal for Real Madrid! Assist by Marcelo.
Cancelo doesn't get tight enough to Marcelo, who has the time to curl in a very inviting cross.
GOOOOOOAL! RONALDO HAS GOT ONE BACK! The Portuguese star strikes right at the vital moment. Marcelo floats in a lovely cross from the left under no pressure, and the Real Madrid striker gets ahead of Mangala to power a glorious header into the back of the net. Diego Alves had no chance.
43'
M. El Haddadi gets yellow.
Zaza drives to the right byline and cuts back a teasing cross, but Real Madrid just about manage to clear their lines. Modric carries the loose ball away on the counter, forcing Munir to make a cynical tackle that he gets booked for.
41'
Only a few minutes remain until the half-time break, but Valencia still look quite comfortable. Carvajal is teed up on the right-hand side and swings in a cross, but Cancelo has the time and composure to chest the ball down before lashing it clear. Voro is urging his players to keep pressing and working hard right until the whistle.
39'
Guilherme Siqueira enters the game and replaces Nani.
Modric brings Real Madrid forward, but there isn't a great deal of movement ahead of him. Carvajal nips down the right and cuts back a cross from the byline, but a back-heel flick from Ronaldo is picked up simply by Diego Alves. Simple for the goalkeeper, but the away side are still creating the odd half-chance.
Guilherme Siqueira comes into the game for the injured Nani, which will see Jose Gaya push up to the left-hand side of the attack for the hosts.
37'
James scampers down the right and tries to bend in a cross, but Diego Alves is quick off his line to gobble the delivery up ahead of Ronaldo. Valencia respond with a counter-attack, with Nani bursting down the left flank, but a set-back from the Portuguese can only find Parejo. He thuds a terrible shot a long way wide of the target from 20 yards out.
35'
Carvajal cuts inside, before feeding James, with a clipped pass looking to then find Ronaldo at the back post. Cancelo gets there first and tries to nod a header back to Diego Alves, but the Valencia goalkeeper is slow to react and instead parries clear. Kroos picks up the rebound and finds Benzema at the opposite post with a curling cross, but a header back square from the Frenchman is cleared in no-nonsense fashion by Garay.
33'
Real Madrid patiently build their way out to the left-hand side, but James is harried by Zaza. Moments later, the Colombia international tries to juggle the ball over Cancelo on his way into the box, but the Portuguese defender comes out on top. Valencia continue to hold their opponents at arm's length.
31'
Despite going two goals to the good, Valencia are still giving as good as they are getting at the Mestalla. The home fans are making plenty of noise, probably because they are in a dream world. Voro's side are managing this contest excellently, retaining possession when they can but also defending astutely.
29'
Dani Carvajal gets yellow.
Carvajal picks up a booking for felling Zaza on the edge of the penalty area with a mistimed tackle. A battle between these two looks set to last for the duration of this match. Parejo shoots from the resulting free-kick, which forces Navas into a full-stretch stop!
28'
Kroos finds Ronaldo on the left-hand side, with the ball then fed backwards. Valencia are defending in organised fashion, making it tough for the visitors to break their lines. Eventually, Modric is forced to play a long crossfield pass straight out of play. Zidane will have a lot to say at the break, at this rate.
26'
Tensions are rising a little bit, as Zaza is involved in a little off-the-ball incident. The Italian and Carvajal have a physical battle, before Nani comes over to get his teammate out of trouble. It would really undo all of the hosts' good work if they were to get a silly red card.
24'
Carvajal tries to deliver a cross in from the right-hand side, but the ball loops straight behind for a goal-kick. The cutting edge and final ball hasn't been quite right in the final third for Real Madrid so far. A couple of injuries slow the play down a bit, with Marcelo and then Enzo Perez getting knocks for their trouble.
22'
Great save from Diego Alves! Benzema is gifted the space to shoot from around 25 yards out, sending a curling right-footed effort towards the top-right corner. The Valencia goalkeeper gets up well to claw the ball away and behind for a corner. The set-piece comes to nothing.
20'
Munir gives the ball away to Marcelo, but a cross from the Brazil international is headed to safety by Garay. Valencia's centre-backs have been dominant in the air so far tonight. Real Madrid are being limited by hopeful deliveries into the penalty area, and thus far it isn't coming off for them at all.
19'
S. Zaza gets yellow.
The Mestalla is absolutely rocking at the bottom, nobody would have expected this game to start in such explosive fashion. Zaza gets the first booking of the match, after sliding in cynically on Sergio Ramos on the half-way line. Perhaps a little harsh.
17'
Valencia are all over their opponents, who haven't been allowed to breathe since Zaza's wondrous opener. It might take a little while for Real Madrid to get this contest back within their control. Ronaldo is picked out deep inside the penalty area, but can only fire a low shot within Diego Alves' grasp. Comfortable save from the Brazilian shot-stopper.
15'
Ronaldo surges to the left byline, before cutting a low cross to the back post, but James' goal-bound shot is blocked on the line by Munir. That is a little better from Los Blancos! Voro's men are sitting back and coaxing Real Madrid forward, before racing forward committing players on the counter.
13'
Ronaldo cuts in from the left-hand side and lets fly with his right foot, but the Portuguese star can only rattle a low strike wide of the near post. Diego Alves covers his angles, just to make sure, but the Brazilian was never really in trouble. Real Madrid don't appear to know which way to turn, Valencia have them on the ropes. The hosts break down the left and Munir is found by a cross, but Spaniard's low shot is deflected over by Marcelo!
11'
The Mestalla is rocking now, with Real Madrid shell-shocked by these opening minutes. Two quick break-away goals are giving Valencia a great platform for the rest of this contest. The away side earn themselves a corner which is worked towards Ronaldo at the back post, but a tame header is gathered up by Diego Alves.
9'
Fabián Orellana has scored a goal for Valencia! Assist by Nani.
Nani bides his time before spotting Orellana in the clear and finding him well.
GOOOOOOOAL! ORELLANA GETS HIS FIRST GOAL FOR VALENCIA! Zaza starts a break and opens the ball out to the left-hand side, before Nani picks his throughball beautifully. The ex-Celta Vigo midfielder strides into space, before slotting a finish through Navas. Poor goalkeeping.
8'
The away side win themselves their second corner of the game, but it comes to nothing. James then tries to flight in a cross from the right, but Mangala stands tall at the near post to nod the danger away. Voro's men have had all of the answers to what has been a quite direct start to proceedings from Los Blancos. Marcelo overlaps down the left and bends in a low cross, but Garay flicks away bravely.
6'
The home fans have responded well to that opening goal, and Real Madrid suddenly have a game on their hands. Despite the away side seeing more of the ball in the first two minutes, that first attack from Valencia proved damaging. Ronaldo is picked out by a cross from the right, but Garay heads away.
4'
S. Zaza has scored a goal for Valencia! Assist by M. El Haddadi.
Munir picks out the Italian striker, who sets himself up beautifully to open the scoring.
GOOOOOOOAL! WHAT A STRIKE FROM ZAZA! Cancelo is fed down the right, and then plays a pass into the path of Munir on the same flank. The Barcelona loanee curls in a low cross, which Zaza sets up nicely with his right foot. With his left, he swivels and fires a half-volley inside the far post brilliantly. Pure inspiration.
3'
Zidane's men have got going early on and are retaining possession quite well. Voro said pre-match that Valencia wouldn't sit back and defend for the 90 minutes, but they've not had much choice so far.
2'
Real Madrid win themselves an early corner on the left-hand side, which James takes short. A cross is swung in towards the back post by Marcelo, but Varane is unable to get up high enough at the back post to nod home a close-range finish. Bright start from the visitors.
1'
We are underway in the first half at the Mestalla! Valencia's players and fans alike will be hoping for a continuation of their last game, where they made Athletic Bilbao look very ordinary indeed. Real Madrid, meanwhile, are on the title hunt.
Real Madrid substitutes: Nacho, Bale, Kiko Casilla, Kovacic, Lucas Vazquez, Morata, Isco.
Real Madrid starting line-up (4-3-3): Navas; Dani Carvajal, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Casemiro, Modric; James, Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo.
Valencia substitutes: Siqueira, Mario Suarez, Bakkali, Jaume, Carlos Soler, Alvaro Medran, Abdennour.
Valencia starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Diego Alves; Joao Cancelo, Garay, Mangala; Jose Gaya; Dani Parejo, Perez; Munir, Orellana, Nani; Zaza.
TEAM NEWS: James Rodriguez has another chance to impress on the right-hand side of the Real Madrid attack, with Gareth Bale held in reserve on the bench. It is clear that Zidane doesn't want to rush the Welshman back. Sergio Ramos, Raphael Varane and Marcelo return in defence, with Keylor Navas back in between the sticks. Karim Benzema leads the line ahead of Alvaro Morata, with Isco taking a seat on the bench after being instrumental against Espanyol.
TEAM NEWS: Valencia are without Martin Montoya due to a calf problem, which sees Joao Cancelo come into the team at right-back. Simone Zaza retains his place up top after scoring last time out, with Munir deployed on the right-hand side of the attack. New signing Fabian Orellana will be hoping to kick on from registering his first assist for the club against Athletic. Nani will be key on the left wing, with Jose Gaya fit enough to replace Guilherme Siqueira at left-back.
Voro will be feeling confident, after Los Che defeated Athletic Bilbao here on the weekend, which actually saw them keep back-to-back clean sheets in the league for the first time since 2015. Valencia need to pick up some more points to prevent themselves from sliding towards the relegation battle, but Real Madrid have their own important agenda to fulfil.
Hello and welcome to live coverage of Real Madrid's midweek away clash against Valencia in LaLiga, as Zinedine Zidane's men start to feel the effects of a congested fixture list. Los Blancos have two games in hand at the top of the table, but will be aware that it has been a while since they have registered a league win at the Mestalla.
HALF-TIME! Valencia go into the break with an unexpected 2-1 lead over Real Madrid, but Ronaldo's late header has brought the visitors right back into the contest at a vital moment. Goals from Zaza and Orellana had Voro's men sitting pretty, but a goal a few minutes from the end of the half has shaken Los Che a little. All to play for after the interval.
FULL-TIME! Real Madrid drop points in the title race, with two early goals from Valencia enough for the hosts to win 2-1 at Mestalla. Zaza and Orellana put Voro's men 2-0 up, before Ronaldo responded with a header, but in the end Zidane's men can't quite carve out an equaliser in the dying stages. Barcelona fans will be happy, that opens the door a little further for a come-back at the summit of LaLiga. That's all that we have time for, we hope to see you again next time.
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