The game was hotly contested from the opening minute, befitting of a meeting between two teams who had started the weekend as joint leaders of LaLiga.

Just fifteen minutes into the game, Valencia CF suffered a setback, with an injury to Carlos Soler meaning he was taken off, replaced by Yunus Musah.

After losing the influential Gayà and Soler, further injury woes would hit the team as Thierry Correia pulled up hurt.

Coming up to the half-hour mark, Foulquier sent a long pass for Maxi Gómez to run onto, the Uruguayan fell in the area and Mestalla appealed for a penalty, but a check for VAR did not result in a spot kick. Shortly after, Gómez attempted to set up Hugo Duro inside the area, but his cross was not reached by a matter of millimeters.

Before the break, Valencia CF enjoyed their clearest chance: Gabriel Paulista rose highest to meet a powerful cross by Daniel Wass, and only Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois prevented the centre back from giving the team the lead.

The game went into halftime all square, with plenty to play for in the second period.

Just past the hour mark, Valencia CF took the lead, to the delight of the home fans. Hugo Duro hunted down a ball in the box and unleashed a powerful drive out of the reach of Courtois, scoring his first goal for the club.

Unfortunately, Real Madrid would pull level in the final minutes, with Vinicius levelling for the visitors and, in a cruel twist of fate, Karim Benzema grabbing the winning goal just before the final whistle. After an exhausting, praiseworthy effort at Mestalla, Valencia CF ended the game empty handed and beaten for the first time this season, losing 1-2 on Matchday 5.

Match Details:

1. VALENCIA CF: Mamardashvili, Thierry Rendall (Toni Lato, 22’), Gabriel Paulista, Omar Alderete, Foulquier, Hugo Guillamón, Wass, Hugo Duro (Marcos André, 79’), Carlos Soler (Yunus Musah, 14’), Guedes (Helder Costa, 78’) and Maxi Gómez (Racic, 79’).

2. REAL MADRID CF: Courtois, Carvajal (Lucas Vázquez, 22’), Militao, Alaba, Nacho, Casemiro (Rodrygo, 67’), Modric (Camavinga, 67’), Valverde (Isco, 78’), Hazard (Jovic, 78’), Vinícius and Benzema.

GOALS: 1-0 Hugo Duro, 66’; 1-1 Vinícius, 86’; 1-2 Benzema, 88’.

REFEREE: González Fuertes. Booked Gabriel Paulista, Casemiro, Nacho, Rodrygo and Vinícius.

VAR : Iglesias Villanueva.

Observations: Matchday 5 of LaLiga held at Mestalla.