Cordoba vs. Real Madrid: Score, Grades and Reaction from La Liga Game

Despite Cristiano Ronaldo getting dismissed, Gareth Bale helped steal the points from Cordoba Saturday, as Real Madrid won 2-1 at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel.

The Bernabeu side fell behind to a Nabil Ghilas penalty in the second minute after a Sergio Ramos handball, but Karim Benzema bundled home an equaliser in the 27th minute.

Cordoba had a number of chances to reclaim the lead in the second period, but they could not take advantage.

They were handed a boost when Ronaldo appeared to lash out at Edimar and Jose Angel Crespo to earn a straight red card in the 83rd minute. However, Los Blancos took the points when Bale punished Cordoba from the penalty spot for a handball inside the area four minutes later.

Carlo Ancelotti handed Sami Khedira his first league start of the season in place of the injured Isco in the only change to the Real Madrid starting line-up.

There was a name familiar to Manchester United fans in the Cordoba starting XI, with former Old Trafford midfielder Bebe, on loan from Benfica, included in the side. Another loanee, Villarreal's Fede Cartabia, returned to the side after injury.

Bebe was caught up in the action quickly when he cut inside from the right before shooting goalwards. However, his effort struck the arm of Ramos, and the referee pointed to the spot before booking the defender.

Within the first two minutes of the game, Ghilas put Cordoba ahead with the penalty.

That early opener buoyed the home side, and Bebe was again involved moments later when he got behind the Real defence, but Raphael Varane was alert to the danger and cleared.

The visitors were applying ever-increasing pressure, but Cordoba were well-organised and restricted the flow to Ronaldo up front. They also looked a serious threat on the counter-attack.

The Bernabeu team continued to dominate possession, but Cordoba goalkeeper Juan Carlos remained untroubled in the opening 20 minutes.

In the 22nd minute, Bebe once more almost caused Real Madrid even greater problems, shooting just wide after making space for himself in the area. The former United man clearly had a point to prove, and he forced Iker Casillas into a good save with a strike from distance moments later.

Real Madrid were being restricted in their goal attempts, and after James Rodriguez was brought down, Ronaldo blazed a 25-yard free-kick high over the crossbar to the derision of the home fans.

In the 27th minute, though, Los Blancos were back on level terms, courtesy of Benzema. Gareth Bale flicked on a corner, and the France international was on hand to scramble home.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

The goal allowed Real Madrid to settle better for the remainder of the half, but the interval arrived with no further significant threat on either goalkeeper.

Agence France-Presse's Kieran Canning praised Bebe and Cordoba for their first-half effort: 

Cordoba continued in the same positive style in the opening stages of the second period, and Marcelo needed to be focused to cut out the danger of a Bebe run.

Dani Carvajal was also a hero for Real Madrid when he cut across Florin Andone to deny the Cordoba striker in the 54th minute.

Two minutes later, Cartabia went close for the hosts with a fierce drive from distance that flew just wide before Bebe again sent an effort past the post after wriggling inside the Madrid area.

Real Madrid needed a change to force the game their way, and Ancelotti brought on Asier Illarramendi for Khedira in the 64th minute. Cordoba were still the team in charge, however, and Florin struck the crossbar with a lobbed effort after taking advantage of a Varane slip.

Fabio Coentrao came on for Marcelo in the 72nd minute, but the question was whether Ancelotti would switch his front three where Ronaldo was failing to make an impact. An answer came in the 80th minute, when Ancelotti switched Rodriguez for Jese.

Seven minutes from the end, Ronaldo made a contribution to the game, but not in the way Ancelotti likely envisaged.

The Portugal international was involved in a challenge with Edimar and appeared to lash out at the Cordoba man in response to earn a red card.

However, the red card for Ronaldo seemed to undermine the home team more than the visitors, and in the 87th minute, Real Madrid took the lead.

A Bale shot struck the arm of Cartabia inside the area, and the referee pointed to the spot, from where the Wales international claimed the points for Los Blancos. 

It was an unbelievable end to a game in which Real Madrid had seemed destined for disappointment.

Selected Player Ratings

Karim Benzema: A

The French striker was again a driving force for Real Madrid and was rewarded for his endeavours with his 27th-minute equaliser alongside the industrious Bale.

Bebe: A+

Manchester United fans watching this game must be wondering if this was the same player who barely featured during his time at the club. He forced Ramos into a handball in opening minutes and proved to be a constant threat.

ESPN FC's compared Bebe's first-half performance to Ronaldo's, and the difference was stark:

Sami Khedira: A-

On his first La Liga start of the season, the Germany international had his work cut out in the opening half as Cordoba threatened regularly on the counter-attack.

What's Ahead

Real Madrid have a rare week of inactivity as they prepare for the La Liga visit of David Moyes' Real Sociedad to the Bernabeu next Saturday.

But with Ronaldo now facing a three-match suspension for his dismissal, Ancelotti will have a decision to make in the coming days, which may also impact on any transfer activity at the club this month.

Cordoba also have a week before their next match, when they travel to Celta Vigo next Saturday.

Post-Match Reaction