Match Report: VCF fight back to stun Real Madrid in pulsating return to winning ways (4-1)

Valencia CF were back in action at Mestalla on Sunday 8th of November at 9 pm kick-off time in the standout fixture of matchday 9 of LaLiga Santander against Real Madrid CF.

Valencia CF had a positive start to the game pressing high up the pitch while being very organised and stuck in all around the pitch as the away side were looking to hit Valencia CF on the counter-attack in the early goings of the game at Mestalla.

There was an end-to-end spell with both sets of players trying to set away on the counter and dropping back in a finely poised passage of play over the quarter-hour mark with Valencia CF having to sit off for large parts.  However, Karim Benzema made it 0-1 to Real Madrid halfway through the first half.

Valencia CF were awarded a spot-kick following José Luis Gayà brilliant work down the line, up stepped Carlos Soler who had his effort blocked by Courtois then he hit the post on the rebound and Yunus Musah appeared to have scored alas, following a VAR check, the referee awarded a retake and Carlos Soler stepped up again scored it at the second time of asking squeezing it inside the left-hand post and past the Belgian who did get a touch to it.

Valencia CF turned it around following a textbook Valencia CF counter-attack in the dying embers of the first half when the ball appeared to have clearly crossed the line and after another lengthy VAR review, the goal finally stood and was given as a Varane own goal and Valencia CF went in 2-1 up at the break in a nail-biting and frantic first half at Mestalla.

Valencia CF  had a shaky start to the second half right after the break but Jaume Doménech was alive to it to belt it away to safety showing nimble feet and minutes later, Kang In forced Thibaut Courtois palmed it onto the post and to safety in an eventful spell.

Valencia CF were awarded a second spot-kick moments later when  Maxi Gómez was tangled in the box by Marcelo in fifty-fifty tussle for the ball but the Uruguayan was clipped inside the box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Up stepped Soler, to grab a twelve-yard brace drilling it past Courtois who did not get a touch to it this time around. 

The same script followed on the hour mark when the referee awarded Valencia CF yet another spot-kick for a handball incident against Sergio Ramos. Up stepped Soler to fire it past the Belgian who guessed it right again but Carlos Soler hit it hard and true beyond Thibaut Courtois  to grab a hat-trick of spot-kicks to put the game out of Real Madrid’s reach.

Valencia CF’s fourth goal took the sting out of the game as they were looking to sit back and see the game out. Javi Gracia made two changes following the goal with Cheryshev making way for Toni Lato and Kang In which was withdrawn for Kevin Gameiro.

Moments later, Javi Garcia made a double swap with Rubén Sobrino replacing Maxi Gómez and Jason Remesseiro replacing Yunus Musah. The scoreline remained unchanged and Valencia CF pulled off a chastening upset ahead of the international break in what was a watershed fixture to build on.

Valencia CF will visit Deportivo Alavés following the international break on Sunday the 22nd of November at 9 pm kick-off time at Mendizorrotza on Matchday 10 of LaLiga Santander.

Match Details:

4. Valencia CF: Jaume Domènech, Wass, Gabriel Paulista, Hugo Guillamón, Gayà, Racic, Carlos Soler, Yunus Musah (Jason, 87 '), Cheryshev (Lato, 76'), Kang In (Gameiro, 80 ') and Maxi Gómez (Sobrino, 87 ').

1. Real Madrid: Courtois, Lucas Vázquez, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo, Fede Valverde (Toni Kroos, 75 '), Modric, Isco, Asensio (Rodrygo, 63'), Vinícius (Odegaard, 63 ') and Benzema (Mariano , 75 ').

Goals: 0-1, Benzema, 22 '; 1-1 Carlos Soler (p.) 34 '; 2-1 Varane (og) 43 '; Carlos Soler (p.) 53 '; Carlos Soler (p.) 63 '.

Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano  / VAR: Ignacio Iglesias Villanueva.Booked Carlos Soler, Jaume Domènech, Hugo Guillamón, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo.

Observations: Matchday 9 of LaLiga played at Mestalla behind closed doors.