Match ends, Real Madrid 2, Córdoba 0.
Real MadridReal Madrid2CórdobaCórdoba0
European champions Real Madrid began their bid to take the Spanish title from neighbours Atletico Madrid with a nervy opening La Liga win over Cordoba.
New signings James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos were named alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale in a star-studded starting XI for Madrid.
The hosts outplayed the newly promoted side before half-time and led through Karim Benzema's thumping header.
Cordoba improved but Ronaldo's late strike from distance eased the tension.
A few whistles could be heard from the Bernabeu stands before the world player of the year drilled into the bottom corner in the final minute.
Madridistas have seen their team win La Liga just once in the last six seasons after finishing third behind Atletico and arch-rivals Barcelona in a thrilling title race last season.
Carlo Ancelotti's men made amends by beating Atletico in the Champions League final as they were crowned European champions for a record 10th time, and responded to their league failure by spending over £100m on new players this summer.
The bulk of that lavish outlay was spent on World Cup winner Kroos and tournament top scorer Rodriguez, from Bayern Munich and Monaco respectively. However they lost to Atletico in the Spanish Super Cup last week.
| Stat attack |
|---|
| Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 30 goals from outside the area in La Liga since the 2009-10 season - more than any other player. |
| Karim Benzema scored his first headed goal in a La Liga game since March's match against Barcelona. |
| Cordoba have lost all nine away league games against Real Madrid, conceding at least twice in eight of these defeats. |
In contrast, Cordoba's low-budget side - managed by ex-Barcelona and Chelsea defender Albert Ferrer - consisted largely of free transfers and loan signings. But the huge financial gulf between the two clubs was not always evident, particularly in the early part of the second half when Cordoba threatened to equalise.
Substitute Xisco, remembered by English fans for an unsuccessful spell at Newcastle, stuck the ball in the Madrid net from a rebound but turned to see his effort ruled out for offside.
And, despite a plucky effort by the visitors, it was ultimately Madrid's extra attacking quality which proved the difference.
While Rodriguez, who joined for a fee rising to £71m, barely threatened before being substituted in the second half, Germany midfielder Kroos, a reported £24m signing, made a greater impact on his league debut.
He clipped in the corner which allowed France striker Benzema to climb highest inside a packed Cordoba penalty area and powerfully nod in from eight yards.
That looked set to be the only goal until Ronaldo's speculative effort ended Cordoba's hopes in their first Spanish top-flight game since 1972.
Line-ups
Real Madrid
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Casillas
- 17ArbeloaSubstituted forCarvajalat 73'minutes
- 3Pepe
- 4Ramos
- 12Marcelo
- 19Modric
- 8Kroos
- 10RodríguezSubstituted forIscoat 72'minutes
- 11Bale
- 9BenzemaBooked at 72minsSubstituted forKhediraat 76'minutes
- 7Cristiano Ronaldo
Substitutes
- 2Varane
- 6Khedira
- 13Navas
- 14Alonso
- 15Carvajal
- 23Isco
- 24Illarramendi
Córdoba
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1Martín Corral
- 17Gunino
- 12López
- 2Pantic
- 3Crespo
- 22López GaraiBooked at 59mins
- 7Rossi
- 20Matos SantosSubstituted forChaves de la Torreat 62'minutes
- 19López de Silva Sánchez
- 29PinillosBooked at 18minsSubstituted forNicolás Cartabiaat 45'minutes
- 24HavenaarSubstituted forJiménez Tejadaat 67'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Bouzón Amoedo
- 5Ekeng Ekeng
- 9Jiménez Tejada
- 10Nicolás Cartabia
- 13Saizar
- 16Chaves de la Torre
- 23Gómez Moreno
- Referee:
- Jesús Gil Manzano
- Attendance:
- 70,356
Match Stats
Home TeamReal MadridAway TeamCórdoba
- Possession
- Home64%
- Away36%
- Shots
- Home14
- Away8
- Shots on Target
- Home8
- Away2
- Corners
- Home8
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away13
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Real Madrid 2, Córdoba 0.
Post update
Attempt missed. Fidel (Córdoba) left footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Goal!
Goal! Real Madrid 2, Córdoba 0. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Isco.
Post update
Offside, Real Madrid. Luka Modric tries a through ball, but Cristiano Ronaldo is caught offside.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Toni Kroos.
Post update
Pepe (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by López Garai (Córdoba).
Post update
Corner, Córdoba. Conceded by Sergio Ramos.
Post update
Attempt saved. Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Cristiano Ronaldo with a cross.
Post update
Marcelo (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Fede (Córdoba).
Substitution
Substitution, Real Madrid. Sami Khedira replaces Karim Benzema.
Post update
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by José Ángel Crespo.
Post update
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Substitution
Substitution, Real Madrid. Daniel Carvajal replaces Álvaro Arbeloa.
Substitution
Substitution, Real Madrid. Isco replaces James Rodríguez.
Post update
Delay in match Fausto Rossi (Córdoba) because of an injury.
Booking
Karim Benzema (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Offside, Córdoba. Fidel tries a through ball, but Xisco is caught offside.
