Cádiz CF recorded a historic win over Real Madrid this Saturday. Los amarillos had never beaten the side from the capital before, with their previous best result being a draw at the Bernabéu in 1992.
Cádiz started strongly, full of character and knowing exactly what they had to do, and put together a string of chances right from the off, before ‘Choco’ Lozano scored the only goal of the game. Cádiz went on to have several more chances and were deserved winners.
Spectacular start from los amarillos
Cádiz CF headed out onto the turf at Valdebebas with absolutely no feeling of inferiority and instantly grew in confidence at Real Madrid’s second stadium thanks to a mistake from Kroos that set up Negredo for the first chance of the match. With the keeper beaten, the striker, from Vallecas in Madrid, took a shot with his left foot, but Ramos appeared to clear off the line. It was just the second minute.
Cádiz continued with their game plan and were well on top in what was a solid, professional opening to the match. In another attack, Negredo produced a fine assist with the outside of the boot to set up Choco. The Honduran hit a solid left-foot shot which forced Courtois to push the ball behind for a corner.
Madrid tried to react, but…
The hosts tried to change the pattern of the game, but were unable to do so, despite creating two chances - the first a tame effort from Benzema, the second from Lucas Vázquez which went just past Jeremías Ledesma’s goal. Real Madrid’s players, kitted out in pink today, were uncomfortable and although it looked as if they were beginning to settle the truth was the complete opposite, with Cádiz ceding possession to then hit their opponents as hard as possible on the break.
‘Choco’ Lozano put Cádiz CF in front!
After Madrid’s opportunities, it was Cádiz who created the better chances, with the best of them being a header from Negredo, a thunderous effort from Cala… and the goal from Lozano.
The Honduran put los amarillos in front with a true striker’s goal, picking up an assist from Negredo’s head before lifting the ball over Courtois, who came running out, to score.
Varane close to the leveller
French defender Varane had a good chance to level the match but he put his header just past the post from a precise corner from Luka Modric. Cádiz shrugged off the scare and continued with their match plan.
Choco’s chance for a double
Cádiz could have been two up at half-time, with ‘Choco’ Lozano having another great chance on a fast break, but he lacked precision with his effort.
Real Madrid made four changes at the break
Zinedine Zidane was clear his side had to do something no matter what to turn the match around and at the break he substituted four players (Ramos, Lucas Vázquez, Isco and Modric) to bring on Militao, Casemiro, Fede Valverde and Asensio.
Álvaro Cervera, meanwhile, was forced to bring off his most active player Lozano, who took a knock in a challenge with Sergio Ramos. Malbasic came on for the Honduran.
Real Madrid threw everything at Cádiz, who defended and produced some dangerous counters
As the clock ran down the teams settled into the roles that were expected of them before the game: Real Madrid on the attack with Cádiz CF waiting to take advantage of mistakes to hit the hosts on the break and create chances.
With the game set up like that, there were a number of attacks at both ends, with Real Madrid having a decent chance from a dangerous Vinicius header and the visitors with another effort from Negredo.
Benzema hit the cross-bar
Real Madrid started to string together chances, thanks to the possession they were enjoying. The best of them was a goal from Jovic, which was chalked off for off-side from Benzema. Just after Benzema himself hit Ledesma’s cross-bar.
Cádiz fought to the end: speed through the middle
Álvaro Cervera told his men not to sit back and made some tactical substitutions. Adding to the speed of Jairo and Álvaro he brought on midfielders Garrido and Augusto. The Cádiz players knew they were about to achieve a historic result and were determined not to let it escape.
And indeed, the scoreboard stayed as it was and Cádiz recorded a historic win.
