Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice from the penalty spot as Real Madrid recorded a 4-1 win over Valencia in Saturday afternoon's pulsating La Liga clash at the Mestalla.
The result has seen Real Madrid move to within two points of third-placed Valencia, but the Spanish champions are still 16 points off league leaders Barcelona.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.16pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Mestalla, and it is a real cracker as third-placed Valencia host fourth-placed Real Madrid. Five points separate these two teams in the table, but Real Madrid were very impressive in their 7-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna in the league last time out. Stay tuned for what should be a super game of football.
2.19pmValencia picked up a point at the Bernabeu in the reverse league match earlier this season, while Los Che recorded a 2-1 win over Los Blancos when the pair met at the Mestalla last term. Two of the last five fixtures between these two teams have finished level, with Real Madrid winning twice and Valencia once during the same period. What will occur this afternoon?!
2.22pmReal Madrid have not actually beaten Valencia in the league at the Mestalla since December 2013, however, which suggests that this match will be a tight affair. Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Valencia. Who is in and who is out...
2.25pm
👌 ¡Vestuario preparado, equipo! 👕👟
— Valencia CF (@valenciacf) January 27, 2018
👉 ¿Cuál es vuestro pronóstico de hoy?#AmuntValencia #ValenciaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/4uSYPVFRqR
2.28pmTEAMS!
VALENCIA: Neto; Montoya, Coquelin, Garay, Lato; Guedes, Parejo, Kondogbia, Gaya; Mina, Rodrigo
REAL: Navas; Carvajal, Varane, Nacho, Marcelo; Casemiro, Modric, Kroos; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
2.32pmValencia are without suspended centre-backs Ruben Vezo and Gabriel Paulista this afternoon, but Ezequiel Garay is fit to start. January signing from Arsenal Francis Coquelin is selected alongside Garay in the heart of the back four, while Santi Mina and Rodrigo are the front two in a 4-4-2 formation. Jose Gaya moves into a left midfield position as Toni Lato starts at left-back.
2.35pmSergio Ramos made his return from injury in the Copa del Rey against Leganes on Wednesday night, but the centre-back is not in the squad this afternoon. Raphael Varane joins Nacho at the heart of the defence, while it is Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema in the final third of the field.
2.38pmThe two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff on this mild afternoon in Valencia. I shall speak about the home side a little bit later, but let's start with the visitors. There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a difficult 2017-18 campaign for Real Madrid, and things got worse on Wednesday night when they were dumped out of the Copa del Rey by Leganes.
2.42pm
279 - Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale will start a game together for Real Madrid in all competitions for the first time since 23rd April 2017 against Barcelona in La Liga, 279 days ago. Trio. pic.twitter.com/MYTZ7o1KGX
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 27, 2018
2.45pmThe Spanish champions took a 1-0 advantage into the second leg of their quarter-final, but lost 2-1 at home to Leganes to exit the competition on away goals. The Bernabeu faithful made their feelings known at full-time, and there will be a lot of pressure on Los Blancos to bounce back in this match.
2.45pmThe Spanish champions took a 1-0 advantage into the second leg of their quarter-final, but lost 2-1 at home to Leganes to exit the competition on away goals. The Bernabeu faithful made their feelings known at full-time, and there will be a lot of pressure on Los Blancos to bounce back in this match.
2.48pmThe response was incredible, however, with Real Madrid scoring seven unanswered goals to ensure that they would send out a message. With Karim Benzema, Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale on the same pitch for the first time this season, the reigning Spanish champions ran riot.
2.52pmNineteen points still separate fourth-placed Real Madrid from league leaders Barcelona, however, and Zidane's side are also eight points off second-placed Atletico Madrid. A win here would be another step in the right direction, although a lot of damage has already been done in terms of the Spanish title.
2.52pmNineteen points still separate fourth-placed Real Madrid from league leaders Barcelona, however, and Zidane's side are also eight points off second-placed Atletico Madrid. A win here would be another step in the right direction, although a lot of damage has already been done in terms of the Spanish title.
2.55pm
🏟⬅🚌 ¡De camino a Mestalla!#RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/DMU3hcKHXU
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 27, 2018
2.58pmAs for the hosts, a terrific 2017-18 campaign to date has left Marcelino's impressive Valencia team in third spot in Spain's top flight. They have won 12, drawn four and lost four of their 20 league fixtures this season, and would move eight points clear of Real Madrid if they win this afternoon.
3.02pmAtletico Madrid have been praised for their impressive season, but Valencia are just three points off Diego Simeone's side, but Barcelona sit 14 points clear of Los Che at the summit. Valencia are not going to win the title this season, but they have a terrific chance of securing a top-three finish.
3.05pmThe former Spanish champions have finished 12th in each of the last two seasons, but they finished third in three straight campaigns between 2009 and 2012, while they also secured a top-four finish during the 2014-15 season. Valencia suffered a shock 2-1 defeat at lowly Las Palmas last weekend, but they did manage to book their spot in the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday night.
3.08pm
2 - Valencia have only won two of their last 17 games against Real Madrid in La Liga (D6 L9), the last one at the Mestalla in February 2017. Precedent. pic.twitter.com/SSfEsO0fYP
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 27, 2018
3.12pmIndeed, Marcelino's team have won seven and lost just one of their 10 home league fixtures this season – scoring 21 times and conceding just six. They held Barcelona to a 1-1 draw at the Mestalla towards the end of November, and will be confident of causing Real Madrid a lot of problems in this match. Right, it is Valencia versus Real Madrid from the Mestalla, and kickoff is next!
0 minKICKOFF! Valencia kick things off here...
2 min... you get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital this afternoon. As mentioned, Coquelin is at centre-back for Valencia today. His direct opponent? Bale. There is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium, and it should be a super game of football here.
4 minNeither side has really managed to put together a passing sequence at the moment. It is very tight in both final thirds, with the defences on top here. Benzema is coming very deep for the away side.
6 minRonaldo has just been chopped to the deck on a couple of occasions, but the number seven is back on his feet and moving okay. Bale then takes one from Kondogbia in the middle of the park.
7 minCHANCE! Super chance for Real Madrid to take the lead as Bale meets a loose ball inside the Valencia box, but the Welshman somehow fires straight into the arms of Neto!
8 minGaray is still down for Valencia having collided with his own goalkeeper when Neto was attempting to gather under pressure from Ronaldo. Bale could not finish the rebound though.
10 minHalf-chance for the home side as Rodrigo finds space outside the Real Madrid box before firing one towards the top corner, but his effort was always just high. I am not sure Navas was getting there!
13 minA lot of players seem to be picking up injuries in the early stages of this match, with Garay holding his shoulder once again. The Argentine does seem fine to continue, which is good news for a Valencia side that really cannot afford to lose another centre-back in this match.
15 minPENALTY REAL MADRID!
16 minReal Madrid have a penalty as Ronaldo is fouled by Montoya inside the box!
16 minGOAL! Valencia 0-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo, pen)
17 minRonaldo slides his effort into the bottom corner of the net!
20 minReal Madrid have their tails up at the moment, and Valencia need to be extremely careful. Bale, Ronaldo and Benzema have all been bright as they continue to change places in the final third.
22 minRonaldo drives down the left before feeding a pass into Benzema, but Garay is on hand to make the challenge. Valencia cannot seem to get out of their own half at the moment here.
24 minGood work from Valencia this time as Lato finds Guedes inside the Real Madrid box, but the attack ends with Benzema being fouled. Los Che must ensure that the crowd stay engaged in this game.
26 minGaray blocks a shot from Ronaldo as Real Madrid force the issue once again. The resulting corner is then cleared as Valencia resist the pressure. Plenty of tempo about this match at the moment.
28 minSAVE! Super save from Navas to keep out a powerful Kondogbia effort!
30 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and it must be said that this contest has flown past. Ronaldo's penalty is the difference, but both teams have had chances to add to the scoresheet. You do get the feeling that Valencia cannot afford to concede a second goal at this stage.
32 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes. Real Madrid have the ball as they look to build from the back once again. Kondogbia has been bright for Valencia here.
34 minGood pressure from Valencia in the last few minutes as they attack down the left, but Real Madrid manage to clear a couple of corners in quick succession. Kondogbia had a swipe at the ball once again, although it never had enough power to beat Navas. Might have done better there!
36 minI would be very surprised if we had seen the last of the goals this afternoon as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. A couple of fouls have gone Real Madrid's way in the last few minutes, and Valencia are not best pleased. Navas is the busier of the two goalkeepers here.
37 minPENALTY REAL MADRID!
38 minReal Madrid have yet another penalty as Montoya pushes Benzema to the deck! Montoya has now given away two spot kicks in a horror first period from the former Barcelona defender.
38 minGOAL! Valencia 0-2 Real Madrid (Ronaldo, pen)
39 minRonaldo goes into the opposite corner to send Real Madrid 2-0 ahead at the Mestalla.
42 minValencia look very nervous at the back as Real Madrid continue to break forward. A third for the visitors at this stage of the contest would surely be game over. Big few minutes coming up here.
44 minNacho and Guedes have a few words following a challenge on the right, but the referee is on hand to calm proceedings. No yellows thus far despite some heavy tackles from both teams.
45 min+1CLOSE! Rodrigo's effort from inside the Real Madrid box is just too high!
45 min+2HALF-TIME: Valencia 0-2 Real Madrid
4.01pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 2-0 courtesy of a couple of penalties from Ronaldo. Montoya conceded both spot kicks, and Ronaldo stuck them past Neto. Valencia have a mountain to climb in the second half of this football match.
4.06pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid shaded the first-half possession with 63%, while they hit the target with four of their six attempts. Valencia, meanwhile, managed two attempts on target from seven shots. No yellow cards to report, but there have been 16 fouls, and some very tasty challenges indeed.
4.11pmBENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have a lot of attacking talent on their bench this afternoon, with Asensio, Kovacic, Lucas and Mayoral all available. Valencia, meanwhile, have the likes of Maksimovic, Pereira, Soler, Vietto and Zaza in reserve. I suspect we shall see some of those in the second period.
46 minRESTART! Real Madrid resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
48 minVALENCIA SUB! Soler replaces Guedes for the home side.
50 minGood pressure from Valencia in the early stages of the second period, but you have to fear for the home side on the counter-attack. A third for Real Madrid kills this match as a contest.
52 minBOOKING! Bale (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
54 minHalf-chance for the away side as Ronaldo finds Benzema inside the Valencia box, but the Frenchman hits the side-netting. Valencia have been on the back foot in the last couple of minutes.
56 minValencia continue to commit players forward, but they are struggling to carve out clear chances.
59 minGOAL! Valencia 1-2 Real Madrid (Mina)
60 minValencia are back in this football match as Mina rises to head a Parejo corner into the back of the net. Game on at the Mestalla with still more than 30 minutes of football to play here.
62 minHalf-chance for Real Madrid as the ball falls kindly for Bale inside the Valencia box, but the Welshman can only fire over the crossbar. Valencia then break down the other end, but Parejo's pass is too strong for Mina. Still a lot of football to be played before the afternoon is out here.
64 minBOOKING! Varane (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Soler.
66 minNacho is forced to clear behind for a corner as Valencia continue to force the issue. There is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as Los Che continue to break forward.
67 minSAVE! Wonderful save from Navas to keep out a strike from Parejo, which had come at the end of a brilliant passing move. Sensational from Navas there!
67 minWIDE! Rodrigo just misses the far post with a low effort!
68 minSAVE! Neto keeps out a close-range effort from Ronaldo, who had been found by Bale after excellent work from the Welshman in a wide position. All happening here!
70 minREAL MADRID SUB! Lucas replaces Bale for the home side.
71 minBOOKING! Carvajal is booked for a foul on Lato.
73 minLittle over 15 minutes of football remaining, and Real Madrid still lead Valencia 2-1. I suspect that we have not seen the last of the goals though as both teams continue to break forward.
75 minParejo tumbles inside the Real Madrid box, and Nacho can clear his lines.
76 minVALENCIA SUB! Zaza replaces Rodrigo for the home side.
78 minVALENCIA SUB! Pereira replaces Lato for the home side.
78 minREAL MADRID SUB! Asensio replaces Benzema for the away side.
80 minYou just get the feeling that there is going to be a fourth goal in this match.
80 minRonaldo sends his free kick just high of the home side's crossbar.
82 minMarcelino is prowling the touchline here as his team continue to force the issue. Real Madrid are just holding the fort at the moment as we head for the final stages of this match.
83 minRonaldo misses the crossbar from a central position.
84 minGOAL! Valencia 1-3 Real Madrid (Marcelo)
85 minReal Madrid score their third of the match as Marcelo plays a one-two with Asensio before firing through the legs of Neto! Massive goal for the Spanish champions here!
87 minBOOKING! Parejo (Valencia) is booked for a foul on Casemiro.
89 minGOAL! Valencia 1-4 Real Madrid (Kroos)
90 minReal Madrid have their fourth of the match as Kroos finds the bottom corner with a super finish!
90 min+2We are into the second of three additional minutes at the end of the match.
90 min+3Real Madrid have possession of the ball as we approach the final moments.
90 min+4FULL-TIME: Valencia 1-4 Real Madrid
5.05pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid running out 4-1 winners at the Mestalla. What a performance from the Spanish champions. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
