Real Madrid take on Atletico Madrid on Thursday evening in a local derby with a place in the semi-final of the Copa Del Rey a stake.
Real Madrid‘s will be without Lucas Vazquez, Dani Carvajal, Aurelien Tchouameni, and Eden Hazard they are all doubtful and will be assessed ahead of kickoff.
Vazquez is out with the ankle injury that he suffered during the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup against Valencia, while Carvajal remains on the sidelines due to a muscular problem.
Tchouameni continues to nurse a calf issue and will not feature in the Madrid derby, while Hazard is out with the ankle injury that he suffered ahead of the league game with Athletic Bilbao last weekend.
There is some positive news on the injury front, though, with David Alaba being passed fit to feature.
The Austria international has missed his side’s last four matches due to a calf injury, but he has been confirmed as a starter against Atletico at Bernabeu.
It took 12 minutes, but Vinicius Junior was the man to score, ending a six-match goal drought as he turned away from Jorge Cuenca and finished past 20-year-old goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Another 12 minutes later, Real Madrid were levl as Jorgensen dived low to deny a Karim Benzema header, only for his save to fall to the feet of Eder Militao to bundle the ball into the net.
Marco Asensio raced to keep the ball in and cut it back to Ceballos who arrived late into the box and sent a powerful finish into the Villarreal goal.
Rodrygo had the first big chance of the game when he broke free beyond the Valencia backline but skewed his effort from a tight angle high and wide.
Edison Cavani forced a good save out of Thibaut Courtois with a close-range header, and Justin Kluivert also threatened Madrid’s goal with a couple of blocked shots.
Gareth Bale Announces Retirement From Club And International Football
Former Tottenham and Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 33.
Bale began his professional career at Southampton, playing at left-back and earning acclaim as a free kick specialist.
The Wales international moved to Tottenham Hotspur in 2007, for an eventual £7 million fee.
During his time at Tottenham, managerial and tactical shifts saw him transform into a more attacking player.
Bale was transferred to Real Madrid in 2013 for an undisclosed fee, which was confirmed to be a world record transfer fee of £85.1 million (€100.8 million).
“After careful and thoughtful consideration, I announce my immediate retirement from club and international football.”
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have realised my dream of playing the sport I love.
“It has truly given me some of the best moments of my life.
The highest of highs over 17 seasons, that will be impossible to replicate, no matter what the next chapter has in store for me.”
“From my very first touch at Southampton to my last with LAFC and everything in between, shaped a club career that I have an immense pride and gratitude for. Playing for and captaining my country 111 times has truly been a dream come true.
“To show my gratitude to all of those that have played their part along this journey, feels like an impossibility.
I feel indebted to many people for helping to change my life and shape my career in a way I couldn’t have ever dreamed of when I first started out at nine years old.
“To my previous clubs, Southampton, Tottenham, Real Madrid and finally LAFC.
All of my previous managers and coaches, back room staff, team mates, all the dedicated fans,
my agents, my amazing friends and family, the impact you have had is immeasurable.”
Real were level just before the hour mark when a penalty was given for an inadvertent handball from Juan Foyth in the box and Karim Benzema converted.
Another spot kick proved to be the winner as just four minutes later, a ball from Foyth was handled by the falling David Alaba and Gerard Moreno netted the crucial goal.
Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr both had gilt-edged chances to equalise in the closing stages but
Villarreal managed to hold on for a win which lifts them level on points with fourth-place Atletico Madrid while Real are still behind leaders Barcelona on goal difference.
Thibaut Courtois denied Alvaro Aguado’s curling effort shortly before the break,
while the hosts had a penalty appeal of their own turned down before another Aguado chance.
On the hour mark, Valladolid lost both Roque Mesa and Julian Escudero to injury, while Madrid introduced Lucas Vazquez and Rodrygo.
Another trio of brilliant Courtois saves were required to keep the scores level with 20 minutes to play.
With 10 minutes to play, Rudiger headed onto the arm of Sanchez and this time the VAR intervened to award the champions a late penalty. In the furious aftermath, Sergio Leon was sent off.
Benzema stepped up to convert the spot kick after a long wait.
Shortly afterwards Benzema wrapped up the victory with his second goal, courtesy of a Luka Modric cameo, to give Madrid possession of top spot in La Liga.
![Real Madrid vs Valencia 1-1 [PEN 4-3] Highlights (Download Video)](https://sportdaylight.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/real-madrid-vs-valencia.jpg "Real Madrid vs Valencia 1-1 [PEN 4-3] Highlights (Download Video)")
