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Monday, December 16, 2019

Karim Benzema was their saviour once again

Real Madrid looked to be heading into Wednesday's Clasico on the back of a defeat, but Karim Benzema was their saviour once again.

2019/2020 La Liga

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Match Report

Karim Benzema rescued Real Madrid at the death with a stoppage-time equaliser that salvaged a 1-1 draw away to Valencia, but they missed the chance to go into El Clasico top of the table.

Madrid looked to be heading for a deserved defeat when Carlos Soler netted with 12 minutes to go, but Benzema smashed in from close range right at the end, meaning Los Blancos head into Wednesday's clash with bitter rivals Barcelona level on 35 points with them.

Madrid started with the greater purpose but failed to make the most of their opportunities, offering encouragement to Valencia, who threatened several times through Ferran Torres.

Much of the second half was cagier, with clear-cut chances less frequent, but Soler finished off a swift move to finally open the scoring, before Madrid avoided defeat with one of the last kicks of the game – Benzema saving Zinedine Zidane's men.

Standings

Match Events

7' Strong save from Domenech!

Valverde and Benzema play a smart one-two on the edge of the area that enables the former to drill a vicious effort at goal that Domenech superbly gets down to and parries away to safety.

14' Benzema goes close!

Madrid neatly work an overlap that allows Nacho plenty of time to pick out a cross into the box where Benzema ghosts in between two defenders to glance a header at goal from six yards, but it drifts agonisingly wide of the far post!

18' Torres almost gets Valencia the opener!

The hosts quickly kickstart a counter-attack as Parejo slips Torres in behind down the left channel, where he drives past Varane before checking back and cushioning a shot straight at Courtois from eight yards! A firmer contact could possibly have seen Torres complete a wonderful solo goal there!

20' Rodrygo with a great chance!

Benzema industriously tracks back into the midfield and roughly steals it away from Coquelin, before feeding Carvajal on the right-wing who whips in a deep cross that Rodrygo heads straight at a grateful Domenech.

46' Brilliant save from Courtois!

Madrid lose possession cheaply and Torres and Rodrigo quickly play a sharp one-two that releases the former clean through on goal! He races into the box before trying to slot a curling effort past an onrushing Courtois who reacts quickly to block the shot away for a throw-in!

78' GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Real Madrid (Soler)

Parejo switches the play out towards Wass who rushes past Nacho towards the byline before cutting back a delicate pass for the onrushing Soler to slot home from eight yards! A wonderfully-worked team goal!

95' GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)

Bale swings in a corner that Courtois - who'd just charged up from the back - nods towards goal forcing a brilliant save from Domenech! However, Benzema remained alert and when Domenech's save rolled out towards him, he made no mistake and leathered the loose ball into the roof of the net!