Real Madrid 0-1 Valencia LIVE: Vinicius Misses Penalty and Diakhaby Scores

Good afternoon, everyone, and welcome to another exciting live blog on MARCA in English. We’re coming to you live from the iconic Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid, where Real Madrid is hosting Valencia in a crucial La Liga clash. This match comes right after Real Madrid’s hard-fought Copa del Rey semi-final victory over Real Sociedad earlier this week. With Barcelona three points ahead at the top of the table, Carlo Ancelotti’s men know the importance of securing all three points in front of their home crowd today.

Despite the good form Los Blancos have shown at home this season, having dropped points only twice—once in a humiliating 4-0 defeat to Barcelona and another time in a 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid—Valencia’s recent resurgence under new coach Carlos Corberán has given them a glimmer of hope. Having climbed out of the relegation zone to 16th place, Valencia will aim to add to the pressure on Real Madrid by claiming a shock victory here at the Bernabéu.

A Look at the Starting Line-ups

Real Madrid comes into the game with a slightly rotated squad as they prepare for their upcoming Champions League clash against Arsenal next Tuesday. The starting XI sees Fran González making his debut in goal for Los Blancos, with the backline consisting of Lucas Vázquez, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Antonio Rüdiger, and Fran García. In midfield, Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, and Luka Modric are set to battle it out, while the attack features Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Brahim Díaz.

On the other hand, Valencia is looking to continue their improved form under Corberán. Their lineup includes goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, with a defensive five comprising Maximilian Aarons, Cristhian Mosquera, Mouctar Diakhaby, César Tárrega, and Jesús Vázquez. In midfield, they will rely on Javi Guerra and Barrenechea, while Umar Sadiq and André Almeida provide attacking support.

First Half: The Missed Penalty and Diakhaby’s Header

The match kicks off with Real Madrid dominating possession, controlling 67% of the ball early on. However, it’s Valencia who would make the first impactful play of the match. In the 9th minute, Kylian Mbappé is fouled in the box by César Tárrega, earning Real Madrid a penalty. The referee, after a VAR check, confirms the penalty, and Vinícius Júnior steps up to take it. Unfortunately for the Brazilian, his shot is saved by Mamardashvili, sending the Bernabéu into disbelief.

Just moments later, in the 14th minute, Valencia capitalizes on the missed opportunity. Off a corner from the left, Mouctar Diakhaby rises higher than the Real Madrid defenders to head the ball powerfully into the net, giving Valencia a 1-0 lead. It’s a cruel blow for Los Blancos, who are now forced to chase the game after failing to convert their penalty.

Real Madrid’s Struggles in Breaking Down Valencia’s Defense

After going behind, Real Madrid tries to respond. Kylian Mbappé has a good opportunity in the 24th minute with a header from the centre of the box, but it sails wide of the target. The frustration grows as multiple attempts to break through Valencia’s defense are blocked, with several of their shots either missing or being denied by Mamardashvili.

Despite the majority of possession and more shots on goal, the Real Madrid players are struggling to break down a disciplined Valencia defense. It becomes increasingly clear that they will need to be more clinical if they hope to avoid dropping points today.

Key Moments and Near Misses

The 36th minute sees Antonio Rüdiger come close to leveling the score for Real Madrid, but his header from a corner is well off target. Shortly after, in the 41st minute, Jude Bellingham gets a fast-break opportunity, but his right-footed shot from the left side of the box is easily saved by Mamardashvili.

Real Madrid’s frustration continues to build. On the other hand, Valencia remains resolute, with Umar Sadiq and Jesús Vázquez both putting in strong defensive performances to keep the home team at bay.

Referee Decisions and VAR Drama

While Real Madrid pushes for an equalizer, the referee’s decisions continue to be a talking point. In the 9th minute, the initial penalty call was reviewed by VAR, which ultimately confirmed the decision. Then, in the 20th minute, Diakhaby nearly scored an own goal when he misjudged a clearance, but the VAR review rightly ruled it out, keeping the scoreline at 1-0 in Valencia’s favor.

The referee, Cuadra Fernández, has had a busy afternoon, making decisions that have kept both teams on edge, especially given the high-stakes nature of the match.

Halftime: Real Madrid 0-1 Valencia

As the first half draws to a close, Real Madrid finds itself in a precarious position. Despite having far more possession and a string of opportunities, they are trailing 1-0 due to Diakhaby’s header and Vinícius’ failed penalty attempt. With only 45 minutes left to salvage something from this game, Ancelotti will likely need to make some tactical changes to help his side break down Valencia’s defense and find a way to get back into the match.

What’s Next for Real Madrid?

Real Madrid will need a strong second-half performance if they are to extend their unbeaten run at the Bernabéu. With the Champions League clash against Arsenal just around the corner, Ancelotti may need to make some changes to his lineup to freshen up the attack, possibly bringing on Rodrygo or Endrick to add some energy.

Valencia, meanwhile, will be hoping to hold onto their slim lead and frustrate Real Madrid in the second half. The defensive solidity and discipline shown by Corberán’s side have been impressive so far, but they will need to remain focused to secure what would be a massive three points.

As we approach the second half, it’s all to play for in this high-stakes La Liga encounter. Will Real Madrid make a comeback, or will Valencia pull off an unexpected victory at the Bernabéu? Stay with us for all the latest updates as the game unfolds.