Real Madrid missed the chance to replace Barcelona at the top of La Liga ahead of Wednesday's Clasico but salvaged a 1-1 draw against Valencia as Karim Benzema scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois ventured up for a final corner at Mestalla and it was his header that caused panic in the Valencia box, before the ball fell perfectly for Benzema to strike in the 95th minute.
"Opponents can get a little nervous if I go up," said Courtois.
"Toni (Kroos) hit the corner to the near post and I just saw the ball was at my height and I caught it well."
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane said: "He decided to go up and that shows we want more, than we never give up. The draw is a reward for the effort we made, which was a lot. This is Real Madrid, a team that never gives up."
"Now we have to win at Camp Nou to go into the break at the top."
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