'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Real Madrid grabbed a much-needed win away to Valencia, with a 4-1 win at the Mestalla. The scoreline flattered Real Madrid, with Valencia offering plenty of competition throughout the game.
Ronaldo opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a well-taken penalty and then doubled his tally with another penalty in the 38th minute. Santi Mina grabbed a goal back for Valencia on the hour mark, but Madrid withstood the pressure to then add goals in the 84th and 89th minute, courtesy of Marcelo and Toni Kroos.
Here are the major talking points from the game:
#1 BBC make the difference
279 days.
That's the amount of time since Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo started together for Real Madrid - the last time in La Liga was the 2-3 reverse in El Clasico last season.
BBC only got 70 minutes on the pitch this game, but the difference they make to Madrid was clear. Even when Los Blancos were not at their fluent best, the trio possess the quality to make the difference in the pivotal moments. The counter-attack that led to the awarding of the first penalty was classic BBC, and Ronaldo took advantage.
The second half saw Benzema and Bale tire, so it was perhaps understandable that they were both substituted, as Zidane knows that a long-term view to the game against PSG is necessary. In addition, using BBC from the start allows Zidane to use Vazquez and Asensio to run at tired defence, a situation that brings out the best of them.
You can *almost* hear the prayers of Madridistas to keep the trio fit for the rest of the season.
#2 90 minutes of nerves, nerves and nerves
Despite coming into the game after the convincing 7-1 win over Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga, Madrid's confidence was shot to smithereens after the Copa del Rey exit against lowly Leganes. It's showed in the opening exchanges - as Navas had to deal with nervous defenders ignoring his calls, with Marcelo and Casemiro committing plenty of errors
Ronaldo's penalties calmed Real Madrid down, and they looked like the Los Blancos side of old, albeit briefly. The start to the second half reversed tables yet again, as Valencia got a goal back and send Madrid retreating. Navas pulled off a stunning save to preserve the 2-1 lead, and the defending champions hunkered down, dealing with their nerves.
Zidane's response was to bring on Vazquez, Kovacic and Asensio - and Madrid's pressure valve was released, leading to the late flurry of goals. Both sides dealt with plenty of nervous moments, and the difference in reactions was telling.
#3 Brilliant Refereeing Performance
The Mestalla is, at the best of times, an intimidating stadium to come to for a referee. Plenty of experienced referees have come to Valencia and crumbled in the past, so Javier Estrada deserves his fair share of the plaudits.
Los Che fans inside of the Mestalla jeered and booed the referee with both penalty calls, but there was no doubt. Perhaps their ire would be better directed at former Barcelona player Martin Montoya, who conceded both penalties with brain-dead actions in the box. He did manage to redeem himself, a bit, with a last-ditch sliding tackle to deny Ronaldo from scoring and keep Valencia in the game.
The rest of the game was an absolute torrent of abuse directed at the referee, as Parejo and Santi Mina's attempts at winning penalties were seen through, and just to keep things fair, Estrada wasn't shy with his yellow cards late on as the game reached its intense conclusion.
All in all, a good day for the man in the middle. It's not often that La Liga referees can claim to say that.
#4 Penalty 101
Cristiano Ronaldo has taken 120 penalties in his entire career for club and country - and scored 84.16% (101) of them. It's a staggering statistic, one where he clearly bests Lionel Messi and points to the depths of mental reserves the Portuguese star possesses.
Consider the implications of missing the first penalty - Real Madrid were full of nerves, and Valencia would have taken advantage - which would have simply amped up the pressure on Zinedine Zidane and his charges. A loss at the Mestalla would have sharpened the knives, with Zidane primed for the sack.
Instead, Ronaldo stepped up to the plate twice, and scored with trademark confident swagger. The effect? Confidence, which has been sorely absent from his Madrid teammates this season, flowed back - if ever so gradually, and sadly, temporarily.
He may be called Penaldo in a derogatory manner, but I'd bet good money that Ronaldo is proud of that label.
#5 The Valencia hoodoo is over, and hope springs forth
After the Copa del Rey debacle against Leganes, a trip to Valencia, where Real Madrid haven't won since 2013, was hardly the best of situations.
As it turned out, the game turned out to be exactly what the doctor ordered. Real Madrid were under the cosh, faced their fears, and came through triumphant. It was exactly the sort of toughness that was responsible for Madrid's success that last couple of seasons, and the reminder to Zinedine Zidane's men could not have come at a better time.
Madrid are now in 4th place, 4 points ahead of 5th placed Villarreal and while La Liga is a step too far, at least they can consider some measure of safety in terms of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League next season. Keep this up, and the season-defining, career-making task of facing PSG might be far more palatable.
