Marco Asensio struck twice to rescue a point for a wasteful Real Madrid side against the resilient Valencia at Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
The young Spaniard, who is rising in stature with each passing game, opened the scoring just ten minutes into the match with a wonderful strike from 20 yards, before Carlos Soler levelled things up for Los Che with a close-range finish.
Summer arrival Geoffrey Kondogbia then put the visitors ahead with less than 15 minutes left in the match. But, Asensio was still to have a say in the match, and he earned his side a hard-earned point with a superb free-kick.
The result, though, meant that Real Madrid have fallen behind bitter rivals at this early juncture in the season. Here are the best tweets that emerged in the aftermath of the match as fans and pundits alike reacted to the surprising result.
Real Madrid are the first side in Europe’s top five leagues to score in 70 consecutive games! ?
(via @SkySportsStatto) pic.twitter.com/pyGprsXPSP
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 27, 2017
Now that I have calmed down…this is simply the best starting XI for Real Madrid…
Bale and Benzema on the bench…
PERIOD pic.twitter.com/WJ00eWUNTz— Jeinny Lizarazo (@Jeinnylizarazo) August 27, 2017
BBC was great for 1 season but it should never be seen again. Bale is the worse. Benzema is essential to Real Madrid but not clinical.
— ZIZOU (@RMadridCastilla) August 27, 2017
This is why selling James and Morata was a mistake. @realmadrid
— Jaafar (@TheRMFam) August 27, 2017
Full time.
Real Madrid 2-2 Valencia.Unbelievable.
— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) August 27, 2017
The belief Zidane has imbued into this Real Madrid side is incredible, nothing short of unstoppable. That’s why they’re favorites for all.
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) August 27, 2017
Karim Benzema bore the brunt of Real Madrid fans’ ire following the match as he missed several sitters.
Any club ready to take Benzema? I’m ready to act as his agent and negotiate a transfer away from Real.
— Rédouane (@HideousItami) August 27, 2017
The five or four years that real Madrid didn’t win a single league was because of benzema and sitters like these he missed… #benzemaout
— Emmanuel Paintsil (@keplenzy379) August 27, 2017
Karim Benzema vs #Valencia. One of the worst performances I have ever seen. #RealMadrid #HalaMadrid #RMLiga #LaLiga #RealMadridvsValencia pic.twitter.com/fFcKJytTl2
— ㅤfantastachi? (@fantastachi) August 28, 2017
FT: Real Madrid 2-2 Valencia.
Oh well, pretty much expected. Benzema takes all the blame for this one. 3 clear & open goals.
— Ali (@RM_Insider) August 27, 2017
Bellotti is doing this for Torino and we are stuck with Benzema. #BenzemaDimiteya pic.twitter.com/L7WtsAz7qu
— Vedant (@MagicalZizou) August 27, 2017
I love Benzema, but a team like Real Madrid should have a striker that guarantees point winning goals. Get out of my team you fraud.
— Blurryface (@Ag_Toluwa) August 27, 2017
Zidane usually doesnt show emotions, but Benzema brought it out of him pic.twitter.com/v0EjjpceG6
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) August 27, 2017
Wish Valbuena won the case and Benzema went to jail
— Rk (@RkFutbol) August 27, 2017
#Benzemaout
Benzema doesn’t deserve to play for Madrid it is an absolute disgrace to have as our first striker he should be sold for free— Anas Alghamdi (@Alghamdi93Anas) August 27, 2017
#Benzema Got 6 Great chances and no ⚽, why is he still a starter #Asensio takes the ball twice and scores twice. 2 Yard ⚽Miss #BenzemaOut ? pic.twitter.com/WmNu8DPoAJ
— Fantasy Gamer ? ⚽? (@Fantasycrickett) August 28, 2017
The man of the hour, though, is Marco Asensio, who has the world at his feet currently and was the saviour for Real Madrid on Sunday:
This Marco Asensio guy is really doing something great for Real Madrid, he gat World Class Potentials pic.twitter.com/43NPkA6RDg
— Osas Cruz (@OsasCruz) August 27, 2017
Whatever this boy touches turns to gold – what a lovely finish!
— Real Madrid TV ⚪⚫ (@RealMadrid_Link) August 27, 2017
Asensio. Future of Real Madrid.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) August 27, 2017
Football clubs actually fighting for young talented players paying almost 150M while Real Madrid just bought magnificent Asensio for 3M.
— ⓫Abdallah M.⓫ (@Abdallah_rm11) August 27, 2017
Real Madrid have never lost a game in any competition when Marco Asensio has scored.
12 games
14 Asensio goals
9 wins[squawka] pic.twitter.com/FXqCB1xpre
— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) August 27, 2017
Sensational Asensio does it again. #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/6b7obgPIJf
— RM GIFs (@hbkmano) August 27, 2017
“Oh, you have to say that’s magnificent.”
Asensio’s 2nd Goal against Valencia. pic.twitter.com/Ebtt87PjiM
— RM GIFs (@hbkmano) August 27, 2017
Today Marco Asensio showed incredible leadership on the pitch. he put the team on his back at all times. We’re witnessing something special. pic.twitter.com/FnftG0V9OK
— SocialRMadrid (@SocialRMadrid) August 27, 2017
When Messi was Asensio’s age he literally NEVER dragged his team to get a result like that, Asensio is potentially destined to be the GOAT.
— adam (@FutboiAdam) August 27, 2017
Asensio is unreal. Imagine saying he’s overrated
— Isco¹² (@Isco_addict) August 27, 2017
Asensio is the next big thing, never seen such a young player look so comfortable on the big stage. pic.twitter.com/0ba0gBfaJu
— Mootaz (@MHChehade) August 27, 2017