Real Madrid travelled to Cordoba on Saturday knowing that a win would move them four points clear at the top of La Liga.
Nabil Ghilas sent the home side into an early lead from the penalty spot, but Karim Benzema levelled for Los Blancos three minutes before the 30-minute mark.
Real Madrid's task got harder in the final 10 minutes when Cristiano Ronaldo was sent off, but the visitors had a late penalty when Fede Cartabia handled inside the area, which saw the Spaniard also given his marching orders.
Gareth Bale stepped up to score the spot kick and secure all the points for Real Madrid.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Hello all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues this afternoon as Cordoba welcome the league leaders Real Madrid. The home side are currently on their best run of the season in La Liga, but they will certainly enter this match as the overwhelming underdogs against Los Blancos.
Without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the team news.
TEAMS
CORDOBA: Carlos; Gunino, Pantic, Crespo, Edimar; Deivid, Rossi; Bebe, Fede, Ghilas; Florin
REAL: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo; Khedira, Kroos, James; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
So there we have it. Cordoba boss Miroslav Dukic has selected an attacking XI this afternoon, with Bebe, Fede Cartabia, Nabil Ghilas and Florin Andone all in the team. There is also a spot for on-loan Juventus midfielder Fausto Rossi. The home side will seemingly come out fighting here.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are without injured pair Pepe and Isco, meaning that Raphael Varane continues at centre-back and Sami Khedira comes into the midfield. The remainder of the team is just as expected, with Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema continuing in attack.
Cordoba are competing in their first La Liga season since the 1971-72 campaign and therefore matches against Real Madrid have not been the norm in recent years. The two teams have of course already met at the Bernabeu this season, however, and it was Real Madrid that emerged 2-0 winners.
It would be fair to say that Cordoba initially struggled to come to terms with Spain's top flight earlier this season, but they have seemingly turned a corner in recent weeks. In fact, they are currently on their best run of form this season having taken seven points from their last three league matches.
Last weekend's 1-1 draw against Eibar moved Cordoba into 14th spot in the table, but they are just two points outside of the relegation zone. Two of their three league wins this season have come on the road, but they have been beaten just three times at home this term – drawing six times in the process.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the chance to move four points clear of second-place Barcelona here. Los Blancos lost to Valencia in their first league match after the winter break, but have since beaten Espanyol and Getafe to retain top spot. Carlo Ancelotti's side also still have a game in hand over Barca and Atletico Madrid, who both play later today. The title race is shaping up very nicely indeed!
Real Madrid have lost twice on their travels this season, but they have recorded eight wins – scoring a stunning 35 times in the process, which is an average of 3.5 goals per game on the road. After just 18 league games, the capital side also already have a goal difference of plus 47 - wow.
PREDICTION! Cordoba are on a decent run of form at the moment, but in truth, I am finding it very difficult to make a case for the home side here. I expect it to be tight for long spells, but I think that Real Madrid will ultimately claim all three points. My score prediction is 3-1 Real Madrid.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium as the home side get the first 45 minutes underway.
Cordoba will need their supporters this afternoon and the fans have turned out in their numbers here. As expected, Real Madrid have taken control of the possession in the opening couple of minutes.
PENALTY CORDOBA!
BOOKING! Ramos (Real). Oh my good grief, Cordoba have been awarded a penalty as Ramos is penalised for handball inside the box. What a chance for Ghilas to open the scoring!
GOAL! Cordoba 1-0 Real Madrid (Ghilas, pen)
Ghilas fires his effort into the top corner to send the home side into an incredible lead against the league leaders. Well, that is some start to this match isn't it! Can Real Madrid respond quickly?
Real Madrid attempt to respond as a deep corner from Kroos causes problems inside the box, but the home side manage to clear down-field. Plenty of challenges flying in all over the place here!
Cordoba continue to look dangerous in the final third of the field, but their latest attack comes to a close when Bebe's cross moves straight out for a goal kick. Real Madrid just cannot seem to keep the ball at the moment, with Ronaldo losing out in the Cordoba half. The visitors really need to wake up.
CHANCE! Oh my good grief what a chance for the home side! Again Real Madrid are caught out at the back as Bebe leads a two-on-one counter in Cordoba's favour, Ghilas is unmarked inside the box, but the winger's cross is just behind the forward and Real Madrid clear the danger.
Cordoba are on a serious mission each time they break into the final third, which has been the norm in the opening 11 minutes. Eventually Deivid strikes one from outside the box in their latest attack, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The atmosphere inside the stadium is deafening!
Half-chance for the away side as Carvajal flashes a low cross towards the near post, but Bale's effort is deflected wide for a corner, which is also dealt with inside the box. Still 1-0 Cordoba here.
Bebe - yes the former Manchester United Bebe - has been very bright in the opening 15 minutes here. The attacker won the penalty early on and has given Marcelo plenty to worry about thus far.
You just get the feeling that Cordoba need to score again if they are to take something from this match. If Real Madrid can equalise then you would fancy them to claim all the points. The away side are struggling for chances at the moment, however, as another corner is easily dealt with.
Another half-chance for the home side as Bebe turns inside the Real Madrid box before attempting to drive one into the bottom corner, but his effort just misses the post. Bebe is so, so lively here.
Carlo Ancelotti does not look best pleased at the moment as his side continue to concede possession in dangerous areas. It must be said that the noise inside this stadium is just sensational.
Ghilas is next to try his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always straight at Casillas. Real Madrid are down the other end moments later, but again Ronaldo is crowded out and Corodba can break down the field. What an opening 23 minutes here.
Real Madrid have a free kick just outside the box as Fede fells James. Chance here...
... Ronaldo's effort, however, moves high and wide of the crossbar.
Well, 26 minutes into this match and Cordoba still lead. It is a deserved lead, with the home side causing a number of problems in the final third. Real Madrid have played some bright football in the middle-third, but have not created a single chance of note thus far. Much for Ancelotti to ponder!
GOAL! Cordoba 1-1 Real Madrid (Benzema)
Real Madrid level with 27 minutes on the clock as Benzema pokes home from close range after Bale had met a corner from the left. It is harsh on Cordoba, who now need to be really careful.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments, with both sides forcing the issue in the final third. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals here. It has been a real cracker thus far.
Another half-chance for the away side as Bale delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, where Ronaldo was lurking, but the attacker could not hit the target. That equaliser for Real Madrid has just harmed Cordoba, with the home side now a little reserved each time they break forward.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, with both sides guilty of conceding possession too easily in the final third. Still 1-1 with 35 minutes on the clock here.
Khedira is lucky to escape a booking as the German hauls Fede to the ground outside the box - presenting the home side with the chance to threaten from a set piece in an advanced area...
... Bebe takes the free kick, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar.
Little over five minutes of the first period remaining and Cordoba can be delighted with their showing on their own patch thus far. That said, you worry for them if they concede the next goal. It is vitally important that they do not allow Real Madrid to take the lead in the latter stages of this first period.
Andone remains a threat for the home side as the striker out-muscles Ramos before releasing an attempt on goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Real Madrid break down the other end moments later, but Marcelo cannot move past the challenge of Edimar. End-to-end football.
Possession football from Cordoba as we approach the half-time whistle.
HALF-TIME: Cordoba 1-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with the two sides level at 1-1. Ghilas sent Cordoba into an early lead from the penalty spot, but a 27th-minute effort from Benzema has left the scores level at the break. Cordoba have caused the league leaders all sorts of problems here.
STATS! Real Madrid have dominated the possession with 66%, but they have registered just one shot on target, which brought their equaliser. Cordoba, meanwhile, have hit the target twice from their eight attempts. There has also been just the one yellow card, with Real Madrid's Ramos picking up the booking for handling Bebe's effort inside the penalty area. A touch harsh possibly.
BENCH WATCH! Cordoba are not blessed with a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon, but both Abel and Fede Vico are available. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Javier Hernandez and Jese Rodriguez on their bench. Will either manager make a change at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Will we have a winner this afternoon? Let's hope for more of the same as Real Madrid get the action underway.
No changes from either manager at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-1 for the next 20 minutes or so.
Just a reminder that Barcelona travel to Elche immediately after this match and we will have live commentary of that encounter, so be sure to remain with us. Not too much to report in the second period, but Cordoba have been on the front foot. Real Madrid simply must improve.
Half-chance for the home side as Bebe finds some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Bebe's work in the final third has been very inconsistent.
In truth, the second period has not been great thus far, with no clear chances to speak of and neither side really forcing the issue. James attempts to quicken matters with a deep cross towards Bale, but Pantic is on hand to clear the danger. Still 1-1 with 52 minutes on the clock in Cordoba.
James is fortunate to escape a booking after diving into a late challenge with Fede. It must be said that the referee has been more than prepared to give players the benefit of the doubt here.
Half-chance for the home side as Fede's delivery causes problems inside the Real Madrid box, but Carvajal manages to clear at the vital moment. Cordoba have started to force the issue in the second period, but the same cannot be said for the visitors, who are in desperate need of a spark here.
CLOSE! Fede breaks to the edge of the Real Madrid box before firing one towards the top corner, but his effort just misses the post. Cordoba come so close to scoring their second!
CHANCE! Another chance for the home side as Bebe drives into the Real Madrid box before attempting to find the bottom corner, but Casillas is down to make the save.
BOOKING! Rossi (Cordoba) is booked for a late challenge on Ronaldo.
Ronaldo strikes another disappointing effort straight into the wall.
Little under 30 minutes of football remaining and the score is still 1-1 - what a performance it has been from the home side, but you just get the feeling that Real Madrid will get chances as the match opens up. Still no changes, meanwhile, but both managers have attacking options on the sidelines.
BOOKING! Fede (Cordoba) is booked for a late challenge on Ronaldo.
Possession football from Real Madrid in the last couple of minutes, but they are finding it difficult to break through this stern Cordoba defence. Illarramendi looks to be preparing to enter here...
BOOKING AND SUB! Khedira (Real Madrid) is booked for a late challenge on Ghilas and that proves his final involvement as Illarramendi replaces the German international.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, with Cordoba comfortable in defensive areas. Carlo Ancelotti cannot be pleased with what he has seen this afternoon.
The attendance has been confirmed at 21,495 this afternoon, but the noise inside the stadium makes it more like 100,000. Cordoba feel that they can still win this as they break forward with Fede.
CROSSBAR! Oh my word what a chance! Incredible chance for the home side to take the lead as Andone out-muscles Varane outside the box before lifting his effort over Casillas, but the ball just bounces onto the crossbar and the danger is cleared. Stunning opportunity for Cordoba there.
All the pressure is coming from the home side at the moment, with Real Madrid unable to string two passes together. Cordoba might fancy their chances of recording a famous, famous win here.
The home side continue to force the issue as Bebe delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but Ramos is on hand to makes the clearance. The visitors are preparing their second change...
SUB! The change is made as Coentrao replaces Marcelo.
Pressure, pressure, pressure from Cordoba. Real Madrid just cannot get out at the moment.
BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for dissent.
Half-chance for Real Madrid as Ronaldo works the ball into the feet of the German, but his effort was always straight into the arms of the Cordoba goalkeeper. Still 1-1 with 77 minutes played.
More frustration for Real Madrid as James is challenged inside the penalty area once again. It just has not happened for the visitors here, but they still have more than 10 minutes to find a winner.
SAVE! Benzema curls one from just outside the box after combining with Ronaldo, but the Cordoba stopper is again on hand to make the save, before Ramos heads over from the resulting corner. The pressure is just starting to build, which will be a worry for the home supporters.
SUBS! Cordoba make their first change as Vico replaces Andone. Real Madrid also make a change, with Jese entering in place of James.
Half-chance for the home side as Rossi turns just outside the Real Madrid box before striking towards goal, but his effort was always moving high of the crossbar. Still 1-1 with 82 minutes played.
RED CARD! Ronaldo (Real Madrid) is sent off for an altercation with Edimar. It appeared that the Portuguese kicked out at the defender after Carlos had claimed the ball.
Well, Real Madrid's task just got a lot harder there is no question about that. Can Cordoba make use of their man advantage in the final moments? Real Madrid will have to do this without Ronaldo.
Real Madrid still fancy a winner here as Edimar chops Bale to the ground outside the box...
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
RED CARD! Fede (Cordoba) picks up his second yellow card and concedes a penalty for handling inside the box. Good grief what an end to this match. Real Madrid can win it here.
GOAL! Cordoba 1-2 Real Madrid (Bale, pen)
Bale fires his spot kick past Carlos to send Real Madrid ahead. Incredible scenes here!
Real Madrid are closing in on what would be an incredible, incredible win here.
We are into the third of three additional minutes here and Real Madrid have possession. Cordoba seemingly have nothing left. They are going to lose this match, but how? How?
FULL-TIME: Cordoba 1-2 Real Madrid
Wow, just wow. Real Madrid win it late on courtesy of a Bale penalty. Incredible match in Cordoba! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good afternoon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
