Three minutes of injury time added on by the ref. Expect Valencia to batten down the hatches in these last couple of minutes. They are so close to a famous victory over the world champions, so they just need to keep their concentration!
89'
Pepe looks to save his side with a spectacular strike from 35 yards, but it it ends up soaring over the bar, much to the delight of the Mestalla faithful. It was a decent attempt from the Portuguese, but it just didn't have the direction.
87'
Madrid are piling on the pressure in the latter stages here! Kroos swings in a corner kick to the back post and Ronaldo rises above Feghouli to get the header away, but the attempt is glanced wide! Los Blancos are running out of time to salvage this!
85'
CLEARED OFF THE LINE FROM VALENCIA! Isco arrives late at the back post to bullet a header towards goal, but it's saved by Diego Alves. The ball looks as if it still may nestle in the corner but Otamendi stretches out a leg to volley the danger away! The Mestalla crowd roar in approval at their side's defending! Terrific!
83'
We get our fist glimpse of Jese since the Madrid man came on as he looked to drift past Orban, but the Valencia defender wins the ball with an excellent challenge. A few moments later the same battle happens...with the same result.
81'
Should this result stay the same then Barcelona have the opportunity to blow the title race wide open later on tonight with a win over Real Sociedad. Should Luis Enrique's men win, they will top the table, but Real Madrid still have a bit of time to grab at least a point here.
80'
J. Hernández enters the game and replaces K. Benzema.
Rodrigo enters the game and replaces Álvaro Negredo.
79'
Both sides make their third and final respective changes. Negredo and Benzema both come off and they'll be replaced by Rodrigo and Javier Hernandez. You have to hand it to both coaches, neither of whom have made negative substitutions tonight!
77'
Madrid send a set piece into the box and Sergio Ramos looks poised to slam in the equaliser with a header, but he is foiled by the diving Diego Alves who jumps off his line to tip away from the World Cup winner! Los Blancos are knocking at the door for the equaliser!
75'
Just over 15 minutes remaining at the Mestalla for Real Madrid to salvage their 22-match winning run. Indeed, I'm sure they would be more than happy to take a draw at this moment in time, but they'll need to break down this sturdy Valencia defence again.
Minute
Description
73'
S. Féghouli enters the game and replaces Barragán.
Valencia follow suit and make their second change of the match. One of the home side's heroes on the night, Barragan, trudges off the pitch and he'll be replaced by Algerian international Sofiane Feghouli. More than decent sub to bring on!
71'
S. Khedira enters the game and replaces J. Rodríguez.
Jesé enters the game and replaces G. Bale.
Double substitution from Real Madrid here as Ancelotti looks to claw a goal back. Sami Khedira and Jese Rodriguez are coming on and they'll replace James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale, both of whom have been rather disappointing.
69'
Isco gets into an advanced position inside the box and latches on to a loose bouncing ball before getting a volley away, but he was just under pressure by the brave headed challenge of Otamendi, which allows Diego Alves to make the save.
67'
VALENCIA SHOULD BE 3-1 UP! Some absolutely scintillating football on the edge of the box from the hosts sees the first goalscorer run through on goal via the right channel. He has the goal at his mercy but sends his strike wide of the left-hand post! Will Los Che rue that missed chance?!
65'
N. Otamendi has scored a goal for Valencia! Assist by Dani Parejo.
GOOOOOAAALLLLL GOOOOAALLLL GOOOAAALLLL FOR VALENCIA!!! Parejo swings in a corner kick from the right and Otamendi leaps above everyone to bullet a tremendous header past Casillas! The Mestalla goes WILD! Two-one!
64'
The next yellow card of the evening comes to Carvajal and it is for a rather cynical pull of the shirt of Gaya, who had initially done brilliantly to gallop down the left wing. Free kick to Valencia now in a very useful position just outside the box.
63'
Dani Carvajal gets yellow.
62'
Bale is involved in the action once again and on this occasion he opens up his stride down the right wing. The former Tottenham man just attempts to take on one too many players though and ends up being outnumbered by the retreating Valencia defenders. Good work in the end from the hosts.
60'
Bale shakes off a couple of challenges near the halfway line before drilling a superb pass to the left wing for Ronaldo. The Portuguese typically cuts inside and has a crack and goal but Diego Alves gets his body behind it to make the save, again, despite an awkward bounce.
59'
L. Orbán gets yellow.
58'
Bale gets in behind the Valencia defence and powers towards goal at tremendous pace. He finds himself a few yards out with Benzema completely unmarked begging for the cutback, but ends up being foiled by a sensational challenge from Otamendi! The Argentine has saved a goal there!
56'
Diego Alves, who had to receive medical attention in the first half due to falling awkwardly on his arm, is down once again after a clash with Bale in which the Welshman landed on him. Nothing malicious from the Madrid man, and the goalkeeper should be okay.
54'
That goal is no less than Valencia deserve. Madrid took the lead in perhaps fortuitous circumstances in the first half with a penalty, but the home side rallied to claw themselves back into contention, and are good value for the equaliser.
52'
Barragán has scored a goal for Valencia! Assist by José Gayà.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLL FOR VALENCIA!! LOS CHE EQUALISE! Gaya drifts in from the left wing and picks out Barragan, who smashes a strike at goal. The attempt cannons off the foot of Pepe and leaves Casillas rooted to the spot before flying home! One-one! GAME ON!
51'
Isco gives possession away cheaply in midfield and Valencia steal the ball before counterattacking. Negredo leads the charge down the right wing and looks to pick out Alcacer at the back post, but the delivery is way off and goes behind for a goal kick. Disappointing for the hosts.
49'
We are just a few minutes into this second half now and there is no signs that the electric pace and tempo from the first period is starting to decline. Both sides really going for it, with Valencia having come out the blocks the quicker after the break.
47'
ANDRE GOMES!!! HOW CLOSE WAS THAT?! Valencia's trequartista latches on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and sends a spectacular left-foot volley at goal, only to see his attempt flashes INCHES wide of the post! So unlucky!
46'
We are back under way in this La Liga clash!
45' +1
VALENCIA HIT THE POST! Gomes has another crack at goal which takes a wicked deflection off Carvajal before crashing off the inside of the woodwork! Alcacer looks to pounce on the rebound but Casillas recovers to make the important block!
45'
Great strike by Gomes. The former Benfica man, who has arguably been Valencia's brightest player so far, collects the ball 30 yards out and opens up his body before driving a cracking shot towards goal, but it is just a little too central which allows Casillas to make the save.
43'
Dani Parejo gets yellow.
Who fancies hearing about another yellow card? You got it, folks! Casillas looks to instigate a counterattack with some quick distribution from the back, only to be nudged in the back by Parejo, who needlessly and stupidly joins plenty of names in the book.
42'
Paco Alcácer gets yellow.
41'
Pepe looks to take the pressure off Madrid with a marauding run through the middle, drifting by Valencia players as he goes. In the end he is cynically brought down inside the centre circle by Alcacer, which earns the striker a yellow. It is raining bookings in this La Liga clash!
39'
Isco gets yellow.
Barragan gets into a great position on the edge of the Valencia box and looks to curl a precision strike into the far corner, only to see his attempt blocked by the back of Pepe. The home side get the corner kick which gives the Mestalla faithful reason to up the tempo of their cheers!
37'
Isco commits the foul down the left wing and escaped a yellow. However, just a few moments later he completely runs over the back of Gaya and eventually goes into the book. A pretty daft challenge from the former Malaga midfielder, who actually spent a period with Valencia at the Mestalla. No love lost it seems!
35'
The referee needs to deal with a melee as Sergio Ramos sends his knee into the back of Negredo inside the Valencia box. All the players are involved, pushing and shoving, and the Madrid man is very lucky to escape his second yellow, as that looked premeditated.
33'
S. Mustafi gets yellow.
Another yellow card for Valencia, although this time it is probably deserved as Mustafi takes out Ronaldo down the left channel after the Madrid winger had left him for dead. The former Manchester United man dusts himself off to take the free kick, but nothing comes from it.
31'
Well the referee has been pretty pedantic so far in the fact that he simply has not let the match flow by blowing for petty fouls in central areas. The Valencia players are getting frustrated, but they need to keep their heads as the ref has proved he is willing to show yellow cards for dissent.
29'
E. Pérez gets yellow.
Pepe drifts out of his position at centre back and strides forward into the Valencia half. He looks for the run of Bale in behind the defence with a penetrating pass, but just puts too much on it and even the electric pace of the Welshman can't save the attack.
27'
Marcelo collects possession near the touchline and shows impressive footwork to burst into the central area. The Brazilian attempts to get past Enzo Perez, who eventually commits the foul, albeit a very soft one. The Valencia man then goes into the book for complaining to the ref, and you can't really blame him.
25'
Into the side netting from Ronaldo! Bale gallops down the right wing and cuts inside on his left foot before sliding a lovely pass inside to his team-mate. The Portuguese rounds the keeper but just takes the ball to a tight angle, which means he can only send his resulting strike wide of the mark!
23'
José Gayà enters the game and replaces P. Piatti.
José Gayà gets yellow.
Well this is just about the most bizarre yellow card you will see all season as Gaya is booked for coming on to the pitch without the permission of the referee, despite the fourth official holding up his number signifying the substitution. Surely a mistake of the official on the touchline?!
22'
Some disappointing news for Valencia now as it looks like Piatti won't be able to continue. The former Almeria winger just pulled up clutching his hamstring, and he'll be replaced by Jose Gaya.
20'
Isco is fouled around 35 yards out by Gomes and Madrid get the free kick. Bale and Ronaldo step over it with the latter eventually smashing the set-piece towards goal, but Diego Alves makes the save despite an awkward bounce to deal with.
18'
That goal from Ronaldo may prove to be a bit of a sucker punch to the Valencia players. The home side have arguably started the match the better, with their pressing in particular proving to be impressive, but they have been let down by a lack of concentration from Negredo.
16'
It is handballs all round at the moment and Sergio Ramos is the latest player to be penalised. On this occasion a yellow card comes out and the Madrid defender is the first man to go into the book. Judging by how feisty this has been so far, he won't be the last!
15'
Sergio Ramos gets yellow.
14'
Penalty goal scored by Cristiano Ronaldo for Real Madrid!
GOOOOAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL FOR REAL MADRID! Ronaldo steps up and confidently dispatches the penalty kick into the bottom left corner! Unstoppable spot kick! One-nil!
13'
PENALTY TO REAL MADRID! The resulting free kick from the Orban foul is sent into the box and Negredo nudges it with the side of his arm. The referee points to the spot immediately!
12'
We get our first real glimpse of Bale as the Welshman opens up his stride down that right wing, but he ends up being scythed down by the challenge of Orban. The free kick is given and the Valencia man is lucky to escape a booking.
10'
That's poor from Gomes. Valencia initially do brilliantly to win the ball high up the park as Kroos is caught out, and possession then comes to the Portuguese, but with Madrid on the ropes he sends a pass to Alcacer straight out of the park.
8'
Barragan collects the ball in his position at right-wing-back and swings a teasing cross to the front post. Sergio Ramos makes a meal of it and doesn't manage to clear quickly, which is dangerous with Alcacer sniffing around. In the end Marcelo takes initiative and takes possession away from danger.
6'
Pepe receives the ball back in defence and just languishes in possession a little too long which allows Andre Gomes to pounce, but the Madrid defender is let off the hook as the referee blows for a foul. There didn't look like there was too much in that!
4'
Valencia recycle possession outside the Madrid box and manage to loft a cross to the back post. The ball is put back into the danger area and Alcacer looks to pounce just in front of Casillas, but it evades the Valencia striker by a yard or two, which allows the keeper to claim.
2'
The Valencia fans have their hearts in their mouths early on as Diego Alves is put under pressure by not one, but two very poor back passes from his team-mates. The goalkeeper manages to scramble both away, but he won't be inspired with confidence from his defenders!
1'
We are under way at the Mestalla!
Good afternoon folks! Welcome to LIVE coverage of the Spanish Primera Division clash between Valencia and Real Madrid from the Mestalla!
I'm Martin Macdonald, and I'll be taking you through the action!
Despite that friendly blip against the Italian side, Real Madrid are on an astonishing winning run in competitive matches. Carlo Ancelotti's outfit are currently upholding a Spanish record of 22 games won in a row, but they face a stern test today to extend it away to 5th placed Valencia.
Valencia made a blistering start to Spanish Primera Division campaign and initially managed to keep up pace with Madrid, Atletico, and Barcelona. However, Los Che began to lose their form slightly and dropped down to 5th in the table.
Nuno Espirito Santo's outfit have been excellent at the home in the league, though. Only Athletic Bilbao and Barcelona have managed to avoid defeat at the Mestalla this campaign, with the hosts recording six wins out of eight on home territory.
Both sides have enjoyed a winter break over the past couple of weeks, so we should be seeing some revitalised performances today. However, Real Madrid did play a friendly against Milan in Dubai, which they lost, so Los Blancos may be slightly less fresh than the hosts in this league clash.
TEAM NEWS...
Valencia (3-4-1-2): Diego Alves; Orban, Otamendi, Mustafi; Barragan, Parejo, Enzo Perez, Piatti; Andre Gomes; Negredo, Alcacer.
Real Madrid (4-3-3): Casillas; Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo; Kroos, Isco, James Rodriguez; Bale, Ronaldo, Benzema.
The biggest news from that Valencia line-up is that new signing, Enzo Perez, makes his debut for Los Che tonight. The Argentine has just joined from Benfica for the sum of 25 million Euros, so will certainly be looking to impress early doors against the might of Real Madrid.
To accomodate the talents of the Valencia line-up, it looks like Nuno Espirito Santo has gone with three at the back and attempted to pack the midfield. The striking duo of Paco Alcacer and Alvaro Negredo are definitely capable of causing the Madrid defence problems.
It is pretty much as expected from Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti selects his strongest possible XI available. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema all start in what is an ominously impressive line-up from the visitors.
Half time at the Mestalla. It has been scintillating action in this Spanish Primera Division clash as Real Madrid lead Valencia 1-0. There is certainly no love lost between these sides as both sets of players have shown a tendency to leave the boot in and earn yellow cards. The difference between the sides at the moment is a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty which was controversially given after a handball by Negredo. A very interesting second half in store!
FULL TIME! VALENCIA DEFEAT REAL MADRID!
Valencia move back into the Champions League places in La Liga and end Real Madrid's incredible 22-match winning run with a narrow 2-1 victory over Los Blancos at the Mestalla. It was a feisty match from start to finish, and Madrid actually took the lead in the first half after a Cristiano Ronaldo penalty. Los Che rallied though and came back from behind thanks to a deflected Antonio Barragan strike and a towering header from Nicolas Otamendi. The home side defended wonderfully in the latter stages and deserved their victory in the end. I'm Martin Macdonald, and it has been a pleasure to bring you the action tonight. Thanks for joining us, see you next time!
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