David Villa and Javier Arizmendi Led Valencia CF to victory against Real Madrid in the 2007-2008 season

The Valencia CF vs. Real Madrid CF matchups are historic fixtures in Spanish football, always delivering unforgettable moments. The goals from David Villa and Javier Arizmendi played a crucial role in Valencia CF’s triumph at the Bernabéu during the 2007-2008 season. This remains their most recent victory at the ‘Merengues’ stadium.

Heading into Matchday 29 of the 2007-2008 season, Valencia CF was determined to conquer the Santiago Bernabéu and claim all three points—and they did just that.

Javier Arizmendi’s goal secured a thrilling 3-2 victory in a game that saw Valencia CF take the lead through a strike from David Villa. Raúl González then responded with two goals to put Real Madrid ahead, but ‘El Guaje’ Villa equalized from the penalty spot.

However, Valencia CF was hungry for victory and pushed for a third goal. In the 89th minute, Hedwiges Maduro intercepted a ball in midfield and safely passed it to Miguel Brito. Spotting a gap in the opposing defense, Arizmendi made a run, received the ball, controlled it, dribbled past Fabio Cannavaro, and brilliantly beat Iker Casillas.

“Cannavaro had a defensive style of going to ground a lot, and after studying footage of opponents, you start to understand their playing habits. I anticipated he might go to ground, so I took a longer touch. In that moment, my first instinct was to pass, but I saw that Iker was expecting that and had slightly shifted his balance, so I decided to shoot. Fortunately, the ball went in, we got the three points, and we could breathe a little easier that season,” Arizmendi recalled in an interview with VCF Media Radio.

This Saturday, April 5, at 4:15pm (CET) at the Santiago Bernabéu, Valencia CF will look to pull off another stunning victory—just like in 2008.