The La Liga champions claimed a hard-fought win in their opening game of the new season.
Real Madrid defeated Almeria 2-1 in their La Liga game on Sunday. A second-half comeback from the Blancos was enough to register their first three points of the new campaign.
Alaba to rescue!
Almeria stunned Real Madrid with a quick opener as the guests were struggling to find their feet in the game.
A through ball from Inigo Eguaras found Largie Ramazani, who sneaked behind Real Madrid’s backline. The Belgian star then converted the one-on-one situation by drilling a low shot behind Thibaut Courtois.
Real Madrid immediately started their efforts to get back into the game, putting pressure on Almeria’s backline from both flanks.
However, a host of fantastic saves from Almeria’s Fernando Martinez maintained the hosts’ lead until the halftime whistle.
Real Madrid continued their attacks throughout the second period, with Almeria gradually showing signs of exhaustion. Martinez made another brilliant save against Vinicius Junior before Lucas Vazquez turned the rebound into Real Madrid’s equalizer just after the hour-mark.
Almeria stayed in their own half after Real Madrid’s first goal of the night while Carlo Ancelotti made two changes to his lineup for the final 20 minutes.
Following a few more missed chances, David Alaba finally completed Real Madrid’s comeback with a brilliant free-kick. The former Bayern Munich star smashed the ball into the top corner with his first touch in the game.
Real Madrid had a few more chances to increase their lead toward the end of the game, but they weren’t able to beat Martinez again.
The Blancos will have to play another away game when they face Celta Vigo in their next league game on Saturday.
Player Ratings
Almeria: Martinez (9), Rodriguez (6), Ely (7), Babic (6), Kaiky (7). Chumi (7), Eguaras (7), Costa (6), Robertone (6), Ramazani (7), Sadiq (6).
Bench: Portillo (6), Curro (7), Lazo (6), Puigmal (6), Sousa (6).
Real Madrid: Courtois (7), Vazquez (7), Nacho (6), Rudiger (6), Mendy (6), Tchouameni (6), Kroos (8), Camavinga (7), Valverde (7), Vinicius (7), Benzema (6).
Bench: Alaba (7), Modric (7), Casemiro (6), Ceballos (6), Hazard (6).
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