Real Madrid missed the chance to cut Atletico Madrid's La Liga lead to two points as they gave away a late equaliser in their 1-1 draw with Real Valladolid this evening.
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There was worrying injury news early on for the visitors as Cristiano Ronaldo was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury just 10 minutes into the encounter, punching the bench in frustration as he headed off.
Javi Guerra came close to opening the scoring for the hosts, but he headed just wide of the post following an Oscar cross into the box.
The Madrid side soon started to dominate though, and managed to break the deadlock when Sergio Ramos curled the ball in from just outside the box after the visitors were awarded a free kick.
Angel di Maria tried to create a second for the away side early in the second half, sending in a low pass for Alvaro Morata, but Valladolid were able to clear the danger.
There was another opportunity for Carlo Ancelotti's side a couple of minutes later when Karim Benzema looked to convert from a Nacho cross from close range, but his finish was high and wide.
The hosts responded the Madrid's bright start to the second period, with Carlos Pena and Guerra both having shots in the space of three minutes, but neither could keep their finish on target.
Valladolid continued to push for an equaliser late into the game, and managed to find one with five minutes to spare, as a Baraja header deflected into the back of the net off Asier Illarramendi.
Pepe tried to restore the visitors' lead in the final moments as he looked to head in from a Luka Modrid free kick, but the ball went wide.
The result leaves Real third in the table, four points behind the leaders with two games still to play.
Sian Cowper
