Gonzalo Higuain gave the whites an early lead only for Brazilian forward Jonas to level for Valencia. Real were then kept at bay by outstanding Valencia keeper Diego Alves - and by the woodwork. Higuain, given the nod in attack ahead of France's Karim Benzema, put Real ahead in the 10th minute after being played through by Angel di Maria. Alves managed to keep out Higuain's first two shots but failed to hold the ball - and the Argentine bundled the ball home at the third time of asking.
Iliripotiwa kwamba Ivanovic atafungiwa mechi tatu, kuanzia mechi ya ufunguzi ya Chelsea ya Ligi Kuu ya England dhidi ya Wigan Jumapili ijayo, pamoja na hayo mabadiliko ya sheria za FA Agosti mwaka 2009, yanayosema kadi nyekundu katika mechi za kujiandaa na msimu mpya haitamzuia mchezaji kucheza mechi za mashindano ndio yanamnusuru.