Cordoba vs. Real Madrid: Winners and Losers from La Liga Game
Real Madrid left it late but eventually overcame a determined Cordoba team by a 2-1 scoreline in La Liga on Saturday.
The game had incidents throughout, starting in the second minute when Sergio Ramos handled inside the area. Nabil Ghilas fired in the penalty to put the home team ahead.
Karim Benzema netted the equaliser, and it looked as if the game was heading for a draw. However, a late flurry of activity saw Cristiano Ronaldo sent off, with Cordoba midfielder Fede Cartabia following him down the tunnel just minutes later. Cartabia conceded a penalty, which Gareth Bale dispatched to give his team the win and the points.
Here are all our winners and losers from the match.
Loser: Sami Khedira
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German midfielder Sami Khedira would have been delighted to have been included in the starting XI for Real Madrid, having had to watch most of this season from the bench. The absence of Isco gave him an opportunity to impress—but he couldn't take it.
Stationed on the right side of the midfield three, Khedira was unable to really get on the ball and dominate play. He did not surge forward as he is capable of doing and was overrun on the counter-attack at times, too.
Khedira was subbed first for Real as they sought to find a way ahead, having not contributed enough to justify his place in the side.
Winner: Raphael Varane
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Raphael Varane made one single error in the game, which almost cost his team a goal, but he got away with it. Beyond that, he was the best defender on the pitch, so he remains a winner.
The French defender was covering early for his lax team-mates as he cut out a dangerous low cross inside the six-yard box in the fifth minute, and that theme continued throughout much of the game.
His passing, reading of the game and pace over the ground made him near unbeatable, until an ill-timed leap meant his header didn't reach Iker Casillas. The chance was missed, and afterward he was again confident and tough to beat.
Loser: Cristiano Ronaldo
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Cristiano Ronaldo finished the match in total disgrace after being sent off, a straight red, for kicking an opponent in the heel, then pushing another in the face after he was confronted. Just moments earlier, Ronaldo had also deliberately swiped an opponent in the face from a set piece.
It was an awful end to a very frustrating afternoon for the Portuguese forward, who was entirely kept quiet by the Cordoba back line.
Even his free kicks were woeful, finding only the stand or the wall. It was arguably his worst performance of the season, and now he'll miss the next couple of matches.
Ronaldo apologised for his actions in the dismissal after the game, as AS reported, quoting the player as saying: "I'm sorry for my impulsive action today and ask for forgiveness especially of Edimar."
But the Portugal international now faces a three-match suspension, which could hurt Real Madrid in the title race.
Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail believes Gareth Bale will emerge as the man to replace Ronaldo during his suspension.
He wrote: "Ronaldo could face a three-match ban for violent conduct but Bale looks more than capable of picking up the baton. The former Tottenham winger ended up deciding the match."
Winner: Karim Benzema
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Karim Benzema had gone for almost two full months without finding the back of the net in league play, so it was with immense relief that he could celebrate Real Madrid's opening goal of the game.
The French striker stretched and poked home from just two yards out after a corner fell his way, but he also worked hard and made his usual intelligent running off the ball throughout the rest of the game, being one of the few in the Real attack who used movement to good effect this time around.
Benzema will find himself needing to hit the goal trail more often now with Ronaldo set for a suspension.
Loser: Fede Cartabia
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After a hard-working and oftentimes impressive performance from Fede Cartabia, who went close to scoring for his team with a couple of thunderous left-footed shots, the attacking midfielder left the field laughing at a perceived injustice.
Instead, he should be accepting the outcome of his own stupidity—he cost his team a famous, and vital, point after jumping up to defend a free-kick inside the area, with his arm up above his head. No need—penalty and a second yellow card for him was the end result.
Gareth Bale scored, helping Real Madrid squeak out the victory over Cordoba.
