Real Madrid secure dramatic draw at Valencia ahead of El Clasico

Real Madrid secured a late 1-1 draw away at Valencia as they keep the La Liga title pressure on Barcelona ahead of next week's El Clasico.

Karim Benzema secured a dramatic late point with 96th minute goal, to break Valencia hearts, after Carlos Soler had put them in front with 12 minutes of normal time remaining.

Zinedine Zidane's side face their arch rivals on December 18, but the draw means they missed the chance to overtake Barcelona, after they drew 2-2 at Real Sociedad on Saturday.

The visitors dominated the early stages, with Benzema, Toni Kroos and Rodrygo Goes all forcing important saves for stand in Valencia goal keeper Jaume Domenech.

Valencia did carry a threat on the counter attack, and Thibaut Courtois had to remain alert to make a save from Ferran Torres just before the break.

Neither side was really able to take up the initiative after the restart, with half chances for Torres and Benzema the closest to a breakthrough until the closing stages.

The hosts looked set to put a dent in Real Madrid's pre-El Clasico confidence, as Soler calmly swept home Daniel Wass' low cross on 78 minutes.

Zidane threw on Gareth Bale, Vinicius Junior and Luka Jovic to drag Real Madrid back into the game, however they made little inroads into an organised Valencia defence.

But with the game entering into six minutes of added time, Courtois caused chaos at a corner as his header drew another save from Domenech, but former French international Benzema was alive to the loose ball to fire home.

Tags El Clasico Karim Benzema
La Liga - Club News