Cuellar halts Real Madrid at El Molinón

R. Sporting and Real Madrid staged an exciting game on the opening match day of Liga BBVA that, despite it concluded 0-0, was full of good football and excitement.

Review the key points of the match.

Thrilling Start

El Molinón witnessed a vibrating first half, with both teams looking for the goal with persistency. It was Real Madrid who began intimidating with several chances by Isco Alarcon and Gareth Bale, but the "astuarianos" also threatened with a chance of Bernardo Espinosa.

The crossbar saved the 1-0

Despite the strong start of the "madridista" team, Sporting stroked the 1-0 with a powerful header by Antonio Sanabria on 36 minutes, but the shot from the "rojiblanco" striker hit the crossbar and the scoreless draw remained until half time.

Sporting's new warning

At the very beginning of the second half, the team led by Abelardo Fernández grazed the goal again. This time, it was Carlos Carmona who came close to the opening with a shot inside the box that went past the near post.

James Rodriguez went in to play

Rafa Benitez decided to move the bench in the early stages of the second act, bringing on James Rodriguez at the expense of Jesé Rodriguez. Thereby, the “blancos” opted for a 4-4-2 with Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale as offensive targets.

Cuellar the hero

Ivan Cuellar, the local goalkeeper, maintained his team thanks to its brilliant saves He was instrumental in the first half, and in the second returned to curb the constant attempts of the "merengue" side with several stops. His rescue saving to a Ronaldo´s shot was the finale to a unforgettable night of the goalie from Extremadura.