Santiago Solari's Real Madrid secure flattering first La Liga win in five weeks against Real Valladolid
Real Madrid 2-0 Real Valladolid: Relive all the action from the Bernabeu
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Real Madrid secured a flattering 2-0 win against Real Valladolid at the Bernabeu in Santiago Solari's first game in charge.
It was Madrid's first La Liga win in five weeks but the home side failed to impress for much of the game and were whistled off the pitch after a drab first half.
However, 18-year-old Brazilian Vinicius Jr. came off the bench and after jinking past three players his cross-come-shot took a cruel deflection off Kiko and nestled in the bottom-left corner of the net. It was a wicked piece of luck for Valladolid who had defended so well throughout the match and had begun to create a number of openings of their own as Madrid became evermore desperate to find a winner.
Moments after the goal, Vinicius then laid off the ball to Karim Benzema on the edge of the box who touched it past Calero before being brought down by the centre-back's trailing leg. Sergio Ramos, who had also been whistled prior to kick-off, chipped the keeper to confirm the fortunate victory.
Three points no less and an end to Real Madrid's winless run in the league secured. Yet whether the victory will do anything to convince Florentino Perez that Solari should stay in the job remains to be seen.
Relive all the action below.
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Valladolid
47': Bale and Asensio have swapped wings now to try and open up the flanks with the away side so stern down the centre.
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Valladolid
50': Real Madrid seem to have come out with greater urgency for the second-half implementing a higher press to put Valladolid under pressure but still they're finding it hard to create space in the final third.
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Valladolid
52': Isco is preparing to come on for Casemiro.
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Valladolid
53': Finally a great piece of interplay between Modric and Kroos creates space on the left and the latter hooks in a cross to the back post with his weaker foot. Casemiro rises to meet it first but his header is blocked when it looked like a certain goal.
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Valladolid
55': And suddenly the home side have Valladolid under the cosh. Karim Benzema's shot is blocked by Calero with what looked like an arm before Casemiro's follow up from the edge of the box was tipped wide by the goalkeeper.
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Valladolid
57': But on the breakaway Valladolid hit the woodwork! After charging upfield the ball was laid back to Ruben Alcaraz whose half-volley dipped on to the cross bar with Courtois well beaten.
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Valladolid
59': And again they breach Madrid's defence and again the whistles resume. Nacho's ball set Laureano Suarez clean through but the winger slipped as he struck the ball allowing Courtois to dive to his left and make the save.
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Valladolid
63': The game is becoming much more open now as Real Madrid become more desperate to find a winner and although it's the home side who are having the best of possession, a number of last ditch tackles have been needed from Sergio Ramos to prevent Valladolid on the breakaway.
Real Madrid 0-0 Real Valladolid
67': Valladolid are taking an increasing foothold on this game now and there's little more than 20 minutes to play as Solari looks increasingly worried on the touchline.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments