Goal of the day: Mesut Özil (Real Madrid) vs Valladolid
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Germany playmaker Mesut Özil curled home a sublime second-half free-kick as Real Madrid twice came from behind to emerge 3-2 winners at Real Valladolid on Saturday.
The hosts took the lead when Patrick Ebert's seventh-minute corner was not cleared and, when the ball was turned back across goal, Manucho was on hand to fire home from two yards.
Madrid were gifted an equaliser when Mikel Balenziaga's underhit pass and Marc Valiente's slip presented the ball to José Callejón, who set up Karim Benzema for a tap-in.
José Mourinho's side looked to be heading for another setback, after defeat at Real Betis two weeks ago, when another Ebert corner saw Manucho rise unchallenged at the near post to head his and Valladolid's second.
But Los Blancos continued in search of an equaliser and their persistence finally paid off on the stroke of half-time when Özil and Benzema linked up with the latter's backheel setting up the Germany international to finish left-footed.
And the visitors went ahead for the first time in the 72nd minute after Valladolid defender Henrique Sereno fouled Benzema on the edge of the area.
Most expected Cristiano Ronaldo to take the free-kick, but he stood aside for Özil, who took a short run up before bending a majestic effort towards the top corner which crashed in off the bar.
"I feel good physically and the free-kick was very nice," Özil told reporters after the match. "I was confident that I would score it. I'm happy that I scored twice."
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| Mesut Özil celebrates with Real Madrid teammates after scoring against Valladolid Photo: Getty Images |
The hosts took the lead when Patrick Ebert's seventh-minute corner was not cleared and, when the ball was turned back across goal, Manucho was on hand to fire home from two yards.
Madrid were gifted an equaliser when Mikel Balenziaga's underhit pass and Marc Valiente's slip presented the ball to José Callejón, who set up Karim Benzema for a tap-in.
José Mourinho's side looked to be heading for another setback, after defeat at Real Betis two weeks ago, when another Ebert corner saw Manucho rise unchallenged at the near post to head his and Valladolid's second.
But Los Blancos continued in search of an equaliser and their persistence finally paid off on the stroke of half-time when Özil and Benzema linked up with the latter's backheel setting up the Germany international to finish left-footed.
And the visitors went ahead for the first time in the 72nd minute after Valladolid defender Henrique Sereno fouled Benzema on the edge of the area.
Most expected Cristiano Ronaldo to take the free-kick, but he stood aside for Özil, who took a short run up before bending a majestic effort towards the top corner which crashed in off the bar.
"I feel good physically and the free-kick was very nice," Özil told reporters after the match. "I was confident that I would score it. I'm happy that I scored twice."
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