Real Madrid travelled to Real Valladolid on Saturday needing three points to keep themselves in the La Liga title race.
A double from Manucho twice handed the home side the lead in the opening period, but goals from Karim Benzema and Mesut Ozil made it 2-2 at the interval.
Both sides had chances in the second period, but it was Ozil who added his second after 72 minutes to secure the vital three points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the match below.
Evening all! The La Liga commentary continues on Sports Mole as Valladolid welcome Madrid to the Jose Zorrilla. The home side, who were promoted last season, have been performing above expectations this season. Meanwhile, Madrid’s hopes of retaining the Spanish title hang by a threat, even this early.
Teams:
Valladolid: Hernandez; Sereno, Rukavina, Valiente, Balenziaga; Ebert, Rubio, Oscar, Omar, Perez; Manucho
Madrid: Casillas, Arbeloa, Pepe, Ramos, Nacho; Alonso, Ozil, Khedira; Callejon, Benzema, Ronaldo
Madrid boss Jose Mourinho was able to rest some key players for their Champions League win over Ajax on Tuesday. But they have all their big guns returning for the match this evening. Valladolid, meanwhile, will once more look to Oscar Gonzalez who has scored seven goals in 14 games this season.
Madrid have enjoyed the better of the head-to-head record between the two sides. The Spanish champions have won four of the five previous meetings, including a 7-0 drubbing in February 2008. Although it is unlikely we will see a repeat of that score, I still think Madrid will have far too much on the night.
Here we go then. Handshakes? Check. Flags exchanged? Check. Passionate suppporters? Check. Let’s get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain. Be sure to remain with us for the entirety of the action and you will not miss a kick. The pressure is once more all on Madrid.
Valladolid get us underway on this mild evening in Spain. A quick comment in the early stages. Jose Mourinho. Will he? Won't he? There are strong suggestions that he will leave Madrid at the end of the season, regardless of what he wins. Manchester City and Manchester United will certainly be on red alert.
Valladolid have made an incredible start to the season, but this is their first real test. Madrid have made two changes from the win over Ajax, but Jose Callejon remains in the team. Decent start from the away side as they control possession in the early stages, as you would expect.
Half-chance for the away side inside the opening five minutes as Cristiano Ronaldo picks up possession outside the box before firing an effort towards the top corner, but it just moves high of the crossbar and Hernandez restarts. It must be said that there is a really good crowd inside the ground this evening.
It really has been a strong start from Madrid with Mesut Ozil and Xabi Alonso enjoying plenty of touches in the middle of midfield. Nothing much from the home side as an attacking threat thus far. But in Manucho and Patrick Ebert they have players who are capable of causing problems.
Valladolid spent three seasons away from La Liga before securing promotion last season, but they do not look a side that has just come into the league. The home supporters raise their voice as Alvaro Rubio picks up possession before driving past Sergio Ramos, but Pepe is on the cover. Meanwhile, Ronaldo has an effort blocked down the other end moments later.
GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-0 Real Madrid (Manucho)
The home side open the scoring as Ebert's cross into the penalty area causes all sorts of problems and Manucho is on hand to tap home from close range. What an incredible start to this match. Now it is up to Madrid to respond.
That strike was Manucho's fifth goal of the season. Who would have predicted that after seeing his performances at Manchester United? Madrid attempt to respond immediately as Alonso finds Arbeloa outside the box, but he is blocked on route to goal.
Half-chance for Madrid as Ronaldo wins a free kick in a wide area. The set piece is floated into the penalty area by Alonso, but Sereno beats Pepe in the air and the danger is cleared. There is no doubt that Madrid are in the ascendancy, but the score does not lie.
GOAL! Real Valladolid 1-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)
It's an absolute horror show from Omar as the defender presents the ball straight to Callejon and the winger squares for Benzema to tap home from close range. What horrific defending from the home side. We are all level here.
You just get the feeling that the home side had to hang onto their lead for the majority of the opening period in order to increase the pressure on Madrid. But this is the Spanish champions we are talking about and their response has been immediate.
Manucho picks up a yellow card for a high challenge on Sergio Ramos. Although the Spanish defender did go down as if he had been attacked by Mike Tyson. The defender does have previous. The match has just settled down in the past couple of minutes following an explosive opening.
In fairness to Valladolid they have settled since conceding with Alvaro Rubio and Omar enjoying possession of the ball in the Madrid half. But they are being crowded out in advanced areas with Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso pressing to good effect.
Half-chance for Madrid as Ronaldo stands over a free kick outside the penalty area, but his effort is punched away by Hernandez. The power was certainly there but not the direction. It has certainly been a good response from the away side since conceding early in the match.
Manucho continues to cause Madrid problems with his pace and power. However, a loss of control allows the home side to break with Ronaldo and Ozil, but the former's pass to the German is slightly loose and the offside flag is raised. You can just sense that there are more goals in this match.
GOAL! Real Valladolid 2-1 Real Madrid (Manucho)
Oh my word! Manucho has his second of the match as he rises highest in the penalty area to thump his header past Casillas. What an incredible opening 22 minutes to this match. Where is the Manucho from the Manchester United days?!
CHANCE! Immediate opportunity for Madrid to level the scores as Alonso finds Callejon outside the box, but the winger simply could not chip his effort over the onrushing Hernandez. It really should be 2-2. What's the score prediction for this one then? 5-5?
Valladolid have had two shots and scored with both of them. It has been an eventful opening period for Manucho with two goals and a yellow card. Madrid really are struggling at the moment with Ronaldo and Benzema unable to find each other on the break once more.
Another half-chance for the home side as Ebert strikes a free kick from outside the penalty area, but his effort is wide of the post. Meanwhile, Madrid continue to lose possession with a series of poor passes. Could you imagine if they lost this match? The repercussions would be huge.
Big blow for Valladolid as Ebert is taken from the pitch with a suspected damaged hamstring. He has been their star performer this season. Alberto Bueno is the player who replaces him. He knows all about Madrid having played for them in the past. Little over 15 minutes of the half remaining and the home side lead.
CHANCE! Ronaldo comes close to levelling as he strikes a powerful effort from outside the box, but Hernandez just pushes it wide of the post. The resulting corner is floated in by Ozil, but once more the danger is cleared.
Valladolid again come close as Rukavina strikes an effort from outside the penalty area, but it just moves wide of the Madrid post. Meanwhile, another loose pass from Alonso puts his side in trouble, but Pepe manages to clear the danger. What on earth are Madrid doing?
It's defending of the highest order from Marc Valiente as the defender dives into a challenge with Benzema and denies the Frenchman a clear effort on goal. If he did not win the ball then it would have been a penalty kick. Everything Valladolid have done has been right in this opening 35 minutes. Aside from the Madrid goal of course.
Madrid have just upped the tempo in the past few moments as they force a couple of corners in quick succession, but the danger is cleared at the first time of asking before Ramos just fails to make contact with a cross from Ozil. What a bonus it would be if Valladolid could make it to the break in the lead.
Another half-chance for the away side as Madrid force a free kick some 50 yards from goal. Alonso whips the set piece into the danger area, but Manucho is on hand to clear the danger. How good has he been in this half?! Early contender for Sports Mole's man of the match? Madrid have already been beaten three times away in the league this season.
Madrid remain in the driving seat with Benzema and Ronaldo both passing and probing around the edge of the Valladolid penalty area, but the home side's defence has been strong thus far. Little over five minutes of the half remaining and the score remains 2-1.
Not a great deal has happened in terms of chances in the past few moments. Oscar Gonzalez came close to latching onto a long pass from Omar, but Casillas was on hand to collect the danger. Meanwhile, a couple of throws for Madrid came to nothing down the other end.
GOAL! Real Valladolid 2-2 Real Madrid (Ozil)
Madrid level on the stroke of the interval as Benzema finds Ozil in the box and the German manages to force his effort over the line. Just what they needed. But that is a huge blow for the home side.
We are in the final moments of an entertaining first half of football. The fourth official indicated an additional one minute and we have around 20 seconds left to play.
Real Valladolid 2-2 Real Madrid
Wow. That was some half of football. Valladolid twice led before being pegged back by the away side. The home side's performance has been that of a seasoned La Liga outfit, rather than one that has just returned to the division this season.
The home side took the lead after eight minutes through Manucho. But Madrid levelled moments later through Benzema. Manucho struck once more to hand Valladolid the lead after 22 minutes, but a goal from Ozil on the stroke of the interval levelled the scores at the break.
Let's take a look at some statistics from the opening half of football. Madrid have dominated the possession with 63% and have had 10 attempts to Valladolid's five. But most of the away side's chances have been from long distance. You would have to say that 2-2 is just about right at the break.
What about the second period? It would be surprising if Callejon emerged for the next 45 minutes. He was terrific against Ajax on Tuesday but has been lost in this match. Angel di Maria in the obvious replacement but Kaka could also be introduced. For the home side, they have to be happy with their performance thus far.
Here we go then. Madrid get us underway in the second period. They have indeed introduced Di Maria at the break, but in place of Nacho rather than Callejon. Ronaldo and Benzema were in deep discussion as they prepared in the centre circle.
It appears that Callejon is playing left back for Madrid in this second half. How incredibly bizarre! Meanwhile, the conditions on the pitch continue to cause problems for the players as they slide all over the place. Someone could get seriously hurt here. Fairly low-key start to the half thus far.
First involvement for Di Maria as the Argentine winger collects possession before driving into the Valladolid box, but he is just dispossessed at the vital moment and Valiente is on hand to clear the danger. There are just a few signs that a couple of Valladolid heads have dropped here.
Half-chance for Ronaldo as Di Maria whips a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but the Portuguese is just beaten to the ball by Hernandez who punches clear. Meanwhile, Ramos heads wide of the target in the next attack. Valladolid are really struggling to get out of their own half at the moment as the pressure continues.
The pressure continues to grow as Benzema strikes a powerful effort from outside the penalty area, but Hernandez is on hand to collect the danger under pressure from Ronaldo. Valladolid just need to get Omar and Oscar on the ball in order to ease the constant pressure.
Valladolid have indeed taken control of the possession in the past few minutes. But you do worry whether they can cope with the threat on the counter attack. Oscar attempts to dance into the Madrid penalty area, but he is dispossessed at the final moment.
Slightly sloppy from Madrid in the past few moments as a couple of final balls failed to reach the desired target. Meanwhile, a couple of free kicks have just threatened to upset the tempo. The referee has done well not to be caught up in the atmosphere thus far.
Best period of the second half for the home side as they pass and probe around the edge of the Madrid box. They force a couple of corners in quick succession, but the danger is cleared. Oscar fires from distance moments later, but Casillas manages to bundle clear.
Luka Modric is just being prepared for Madrid and indeed the Croatian is introduced in place of Arbeloa. That is quite incredible. Madrid now have just two defenders on the pitch. This really could go either way. It is all or nothing.
Madrid continue to dominate possession as they pass and probe in the Valladolid half, but despite numbers in attack the ball continues to fall for the home side. Di Maria comes close with an effort from inside the area, but Hernandez makes the save.
Valladolid hit Madrid on the break as Perez breezes past Ozil before firing a low cross into the penalty area, but Casillas just pushes it behind for a corner. Meanwhile, the resulting set piece by Bueno is headed clear by Ramos.
Madrid have the ball in the back of the net as Madrid converts from close range, but the offside flag is raised. Replays have suggested that the Spaniard was in fact level with the final defender. Wow. If Madrid do not win this match can you imagine the inquiry?!
Valladolid again threaten on the break as Oscar searches out the run of Manucho, but once more the pass it just too long and the danger is gathered by Casillas. Madrid have little over 20 minutes to save their league season. It really is as simple as that.
Ronaldo talks his way into the referee's book as he appeals for a throw which is not given. Say what you like, but there is something in the rumours linking him with a move away from the club. He just does not look happy or interested in combining with his teammates. Madrid continue to press forward but it remains 2-2.
GOAL! Real Valladolid 2-3 Real Madrid (Ozil)
That is some effort from Ozil. Valladolid hand Madrid a free kick just outside the penalty area as Sereno fells Benzema. The German steps up and bends his effort into the top corner.
That is as good an effort as you will ever see. Ronaldo stood aside and Ozil found the top corner. But this match is far from over with 15 minutes remaining. Meanwhile, Madrid make another change as Benzema is replaced by Raphael Varane.
Valladolid attempt to force the issue with Oscar and Omar both embarking on mazy runs, but they just cannot find the final pass and Ramos is on hand to clear the danger. You just get the sense that there is another goal in this match.
Valladolid make a change as Manucho is replaced by Javi Guerra. The former has run his heart out this evening and for me has been the star of the show. Not a great deal to report in the past few moments, with an Ozil shot at Hernandez the best of the action.
Right, little over 10 minutes of football remaining and Madrid lead. Mourinho surveys on the touchline, but his side are comfortable at the moment. But they are vulnerable in defence and Valladolid certainly have players who can and will cause problems in the latter stages.
It just isn't quite happening for the home side at the moment as Omar attempts to find the run of Perez down the right, but his pass is just too long and play is restarted with a Madrid throw. The away side have retreated and it is allowing Valladolid to enjoy possession.
Valladolid have the chance to whips a free kick into the danger area as Ozil fells Omar out wide, but the latter's set piece is awful and moves high and wide of the Madrid goal. Little over five minutes of football remaining and the away side still lead.
CHANCE! Madrid come close to adding their fourth as Ramos meets an Ozil cross with his head, but Hernandez makes a wonderful save to deny the defender. It goes behind for a corner, but the set piece is headed clear by Sereno.
Madrid continue to frustrate the home side as they keep possession of the ball in the final moments of the match. Valladolid appear to have nothing left as suddenly the passes continue to miss the target. If there is to be an equaliser then it will be a late, late show.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes at the end of the match. Valladolid have a free kick just inside the Madrid half. We all know where this one is heading. Straight into the mixer.
The ball is fired into the penalty area, but Ramos rises highest to clear the danger. It breaks for Bueno outside the box, but his effort is straight at Casillas. Little over two minutes of football remaining.
Ronaldo does his team a massive favour as he wins a free kick just outside the Valladolid half as the seconds continue to drift away. Ronaldo strikes the effort, but it is straight into the wall and behind. That could be just about that.
Real Valladolid 2-3 Real Madrid
So there we have it. A late Ozil goal is enough to hand Madrid the points and move them eight points behind Barcelona, who have a game in hand. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and join us for more La Liga football tomorrow. Until then!
