Real Madrid held to 1-1 draw by Valencia in opener

By Joseph Wilson

Associated Press

Published: Sunday, Aug. 19 2012 1:11 p.m. MDT

View 4 photos »

Real Madrid's coach Jose Mourinho from Portugal reacts during a Spanish La Liga soccer match against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Aug. 19, 2012.

Andres Kudacki, Associated Press

Summary

Real Madrid stumbled to a 1-1 draw at home against Valencia in the opening match of its Spanish league title defense on Sunday.

BARCELONA, Spain — Real Madrid stumbled to a 1-1 draw at home against Valencia in the opening match of its Spanish league title defense on Sunday.

Madrid appeared set to pick up where it had left off last season when Gonzalo Higuain scored in the 10th minute, but Jonas leveled for Valencia in the 42nd to give coach Mauricio Pellegrino a hard-earned draw on his debut.

Cristiano Ronaldo was uncharacteristically subdued and failed to manage a shot on goal.

Also, Real Betis defeated Athletic Bilbao in a 5-3 shootout at San Mames stadium after the Basques had fought back from a three-goal deficit to draw level.

Later, Tito Vilanova debuts as Barcelona's head coach against Real Sociedad, and Atletico Madrid plays Levante.

Comments