Defending champions Real Madrid opened their LaLiga campaign with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over Almeria on Sunday night.
Result: Almeria 1-2 Real Madrid
Date: 14 August 2022
Venue: Power Horse Stadium
Carlo Ancelotti handed league debuts to new signings Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni, who both started on the bench in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
While Real were riding on a high from the Super Cup win, it was Almeria who broke the deadlock after just minutes when Largie Ramanzani rifled the ball past Thibaut Courtois after getting on the end of Inigo Eguaras' pass.
Los Blancos looked for an immediate response as Federico Valverde forced goalkeeper Fernando Martinez into a fine save three minutes later, before the Almeria shot-stopper was denied the midfield again on 16 minutes.
It was proving to be a busy for Martinez, who was called upon to keep out Karim Benzema's header at the far post following a cross from Toni Kroos before he denied Vinicius Junior in a one-on-one situation before the break.
After Real had a goal disallowed just before the interval, Ancelotti opted for a change at the start of the second stanza as Luka Modric replaced Eduardo Camavinga.
The Martinez show continued in the second half, as the Almeria goalkeeper pulled off a save superb save to deny Benzema in a one-on-one situation just minutes after Valverde.
However, Los Blancos finally got their reward on the hour mark when Benzema turned provider to pick out Lucas Vazquez for the close-range finish after his earlier strike was ruled out.
Ancelotti looked to his bench for more inspiration when David Alaba replaced Mendy on 74 minutes and that's exactly what he got when the substitute completed the turnaround with a superb free-kick.
The home side threw everything forward in search of an equaliser in the latter stages, but they were unable to carve out another clear cut opening as Real start the season with three points.
