Real Madrid 1–2 Valencia Player Ratings: Girogi Mamardashvili’s Heroics and Hugo Duro’s Late Winner Secures a Historic Victory for the Away Side

Valencia registered a first victory at Santiago Bernabeu in 17 years after a late winner to win 2-1 against Real Madrid. Vinicius Jr missed a penalty early in the game as Real Madrid faltered. Mouctar Diakhaby then scored a header to rub salt into the hosts’ wounds. The hosts clawed back into the game as Vinicius scored a goal to bury the past.

It led to a tense finale as Los Blancos kept pushing for the winner, and Valencia were hanging on. Valencia then did the unthinkable as they scored a late winner through Hugo Duro to send shock waves across the country.

Real Madrid went all the way against Real Sociedad midweek in the Copa del Rey semifinals second leg. Fatigue was a real issue, and before their trip to the Emirates for a Champions League clash, Carlo Ancelotti had no option but to rotate. Fran Gonzalez made his debut for Real Madrid as Andriy Lunin was sidelined with an injury as well. Rodrygo was rested alongside with Eduardo Camavinga. The hosts were expected to beat Valencia comfortably.

Valencia’s late resurgence has given them a great chance of survival in the league. Carlos Corberan’s men picked up 8 points out of 12 available in the last four games and were unbeaten to leapfrog to 16th in the table. Real Madrid is their last tough game before they play fellow relegation battlers. Both their fullbacks and veteran defenders, Dimitri Foulquier and Jose Gaya, were suspended, along with winger Luis Rioja.

This prompted them to name a back five to neutralise Real Madrid’s attack. The in-form winger Diego Lopez and forward Umar Sadiq needed to carry the goal-scoring burden.

The game had a lively start, as Valencia didn’t look like a relegation-threatened side at all. They started playing out from the ball confidently. But a long ball from Real Madrid caught them out as Cesar Tarrega got on the wrong side of Kylian Mbappe and caught his ankle. After a VAR check, the referee awarded a penalty to the hosts. Real Madrid’s policy of not having a designated penalty taker came to bite them. They rotated the penalty takers as Mbappe, Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr all wanted a slice of the pie.

Vinicius Jr, who was not the most confident penalty taker in the world, stepped up this time and sent his effort poorly towards the centre of the goal. Giorgi Mamadashvili read it and made a comfortable save to deny Los Blancos.

To make matters worse, they conceded from a corner just two minutes later. Andrei Almeida put in an inviting cross for his teammates to attack. Mouctar Diakhaby, the skipper, answered it by making light work of Madrid’s poor and static zonal defending as he thumped a header into the back of the net.

Real Madrid were rattled by the events and started attacking frenzily. Valencia impressed with some neat football by keeping the hosts at bay with some good passing moves. However, Diakhaby nearly turned into a villain as he sent an awkward clearance into the back of his net. He was relieved to learn that Mbappe was offside in the buildup, and the goal was ruled out. Mbappe and Bellingham then came the closest to the equaliser as Mamardashvili denied the former with a stunning save and the latter sent his good effort just whiskers wide as Valencia took the lead into the tunnel.

The visitors needed a monumental second half if they were to hold onto that one-goal advantage in one of the most hostile stadiums in the world. Their resistance didn’t last long in the second half as Vinicius Jr made amends in the 50th minute. It was a set piece that led to Valencia’s undoing as Bellingham flicked on a Luka Modric corner as an unmarked Vinicius tapped home from close range to restore parity.

As soon as it was 1-1, Real Madrid started pushing for the winner, and Valencia started defending deep. But the Bats were unfazed and took the fight to their opposition. Mbappe came the closest again as he sliced a Fran Garcia cut back just inches wide. The Frenchman created a chance for Federico Valverde, but Mamardashvili magically got his hand to it in a fraction.

Both sides turned to their bench to break the deadlock as they made a flurry of changes. The hosts were fast running out of time as Valencia defended in unison by keeping everything on the line to grab hold of the point they had. But in the 95th minute, they did something unthinkable and ended up taking all three points home.

The Bats broke forward as Diego Lopez played a flick on to catch Real Madrid awfully out of shape at the back. Rafa Mir ran onto it from the right wing and delivered a wonderful cross for Hugo Duro, who nodded home from close range to completely silence the home crowd.

The visitors’ bench erupted into huge celebrations as they realised the gravity of the impending result. They held on for two more minutes as the referee blew his full-time whistle before breaking into more celebrations. This win could see them stay in the league for one more season.

A huge upset at the Santiago Bernabeu sees Valencia win there for the first time in 17 long years after 2008. They are in a much better position in their relegation fight and could easily survive the drop with 34 points to their name. Real Madrid could rue the missed chances, as this game might’ve dealt a hammer blow to their title hopes. Barcelona could go six points clear at the top if they manage to get the result against Real Betis tonight.

Here are the Real Madrid vs Valencia Player Ratings.

Real Madrid Player Ratings

GK – Fran Gonzalez – 6/10

A debut for the senior side at 19 saw him start the game brightly, but he was beaten from the corner. Made crucial claims late in the game to keep the game level.

RB – Lucas Vazquez – 6/10

He was joining the attack and leaving a lot of space for the opposition wingers to exploit. The quality in attack was lacking as well. Failed to react to a rebound opportunity from a Valverde shot.

CB – Antonio Rudiger – 4.5/10

Lost his marker as Diakhaby powered Valencia into the lead. Very oddly had a game in which he was aerially dominated.

CB – Aurelien Tchouameni – 6/10

Lost track of runners in the buildup to the first goal. Shifting between midfield and defence is affecting his rhythm. Grew into the game as he made numerous useful blocks. Was out of position late on as they conceded.

LB – Fran Garcia – 6.5/10

Tried to invert into the left half space as Vinicius Jr provided the width. He was well-handled by the defence. An excellent one-two with Mbappe resulted in him delivering a cross for the Frenchman, but it was just wide.

DM – Federico Valverde – 7/10

Got into a dangerous tackle with Sadiq and looked like he was hurt. Thankfully, he was alright to carry on, but the engine he had was running out of steam. He was shocked when Mamadashivili miraculously saved his shot from 6 yards out.

DM – Luka Modric – 7/10

The Croatian looked mortal as he was getting the weight of a few passes wrong. Did put in a good defensive shift to help the side out. His set pieces are still a thing of beauty, as they constantly create danger.

RW – Brahim Diaz – 6/10

Was involved in some neat interplays on the right side as he tried to force the equaliser. Valencia were always doubling up on the flanks. Was replaced by Rodrygo even before the hour mark.

CAM – Jude Bellingham – 7/10

Played between the lines and linked up well with Mbappe as he created some chances. Came close to scoring the equaliser after a fantastic solo run. Made a lovely flick to assist Vincius for his goal.

LW – Vinicius Jr – 6/10

On his 200th La Liga appearance, he took a poor penalty that was easily saved. Looked off pace as he was losing the ball way too many times. Made amends by scoring a tapin from close range to restore parity.

ST – Kylian Mbappe – 7/10

Real Madrid’s most dangerous attacker on the night. Won a penalty early on with some running in behind. Had a lot of close shaves and hit the crossbar as well.

Sub – Rodrygo – 6/10

Subbed on even before the hour mark to create the winner as Diaz was withdrawn.

Sub – David Alaba- 6/10

Sub – Eduardo Camavinga – 6/10

Sub – Endrick- 5.5/10

Entered the pitch on a mission and claimed a penalty after his header hit Diakhaby’s chest. Dribbled with purpose but couldn’t find the final pass.

Sub – Arda Guler – 6/10

Manager – Carlo Ancelotti – 4/10

A rotated side looked clueless at times in how to break down a determined Valencia side. The manager talked his way to a yellow card after Madrid’s equaliser was disallowed. His side, famous for comebacks, did produce another one in the second half.

However, they aren’t at their best yet, and given they have crucial games coming up, it looks hard for his side. The change did not work as his side tasted their own medicine with a late goal conceded.

Also Read: Real Madrid 4–4 Real Sociedad (5–4 Agg) Player Ratings: Los Blancos Toil Hard to Reach the Copa Del Rey Finals in a Thrilling Encounter

Valencia Player Ratings

GK – Giorgi Mamardashvili – 8.5/10

A fantastic save to deny Vinicius from the penalty spot. He produced an even better one later to deny Mbappe’s shot from the edge of the box. The save from Valverde stands out on the night.

RB – Max Aarons – 6.5/10

A first league start for Valencia saw him face Vinicius. The English fullback stood his ground well and presented himself in attack confidently.

CB – Cristhian Mosquera – 7.5/10

The youngster defended his box brilliantly and impressed while playing out of the box under pressure. Made crucial interventions from crosses but couldn’t contain Bellingham for the equaliser.

CB – Cesar Tarrega – 6/10

Had Mbappe play on his shoulders throughout the game. He was beaten once and took him down, leading to a penalty and a yellow card. It could’ve been a red, given it was potentially a last-man change.

CB – Mouctar Diakhaby – 6.5/10

Started the game brilliantly with some challenges. Gave his side the lead with a thumping header. Scored a bizarre own goal but was spared by Mbappe, who was in an offside position as the cross came in.

LB – Jesus Vazquez – 6/10

Showcased a lot of guile as he defended well and flew forward to exploit the space on Madrid’s right side. Had a shot on target that was well blocked by Tchouameni.

RM – Diego Lopez – 6.5/10

The in-form winger had a lot of clever touches and passes as Valencia retained possession excellently. He was looking to score goals in five straight league games, but it was hard for him. Played a brilliant flick on to release Rafa Mir for the winner.

CM – Javier Guerra – 6.5/10

A great performance where he read the game excellently to make some crucial interceptions and blocks. Possesses a great work ethic, and he showed up in attack and defence.

CM Enzo Barrenechea – 7/10

Helped his side win the ball plenty of times and disrupted Madrid’s flow. He had to be disciplined as well. His passing, especially the lobbed ones to the forward lin,e caught eyes.

LM – Andre Almeida – 7/10

The creator-in-chief delivered a perfect corner as they took the lead. His passing was pinpoint as he kept asking questions to Madrid’s defence.

ST – Umar Sadiq – 6/10

Had a field day against the Madrid centre-backs by winning aerial duels. His hold play and game intelligence shined as he put in a great defensive performance as well.

Sub – Rafa Mir – 7/10

Brought on at the hour mark to replace Sadiq, whose influence was waning. Delivered an inch-perfect cross for Duro late in the game.

Sub – Fran Perez – 6/10

Sub – Pepelu – 6/10

Sub – Hugo Duro – 7/10

Scored probably one of the biggest goals of his career in one of the easiest manners, perhaps as Mir put the cross on a platter for him in the 95th minute.

Sub – Hugo Guillamon – N/A

Manager – Carlos Corberan – 8/10

A daring approach to use five at the back even after missing his usual fullbacks. His side didn’t play like a team battling relegation for once in the first half. However, they had to finish the job in the second half of a difficult stadium to get a rare result. A lapse in concentration from a corner led to the equaliser. His side fought valiantly and his changes worked wonders as they snatched a late winner and won at Bernabeu after 17 long years.

Sportsdunia’s Player of the Match: Gio Mamardashvili

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