Real Madrid's Welsh forward Gareth Bale (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF vs Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 3, 2016. (AFP)
Real Madrid squandered a great opening goal and a chance to catch Barcelona in the Spanish league standings when it slipped to a 2-2 draw at Valencia in a match it ended with 10 men on Sunday.
Karim Benzema finished off a superb move in the 16th minute, but Valencia's Dani Parejo leveled from the penalty spot just before halftime.
Gareth Bale headed Madrid back in front in the 82nd despite his team playing a man down after Mateo Kovacic saw a direct red card, only for Paco Alcacer to strike right back for the hosts a minute later.
Coach Rafa Benitez will face even more scrutiny after Madrid fell four points behind provisional leader Atletico Madrid and remained two behind Barcelona, which has a game to play.
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