Cordoba succumb to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in their La Liga clash at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel, courtesy of Gareth Bale's late penalty.

Cordoba have succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid in this afternoon's La Liga clash at the Estadio Nuevo Arcangel following a Gareth Bale penalty scored a minute from time.

Karim Benzema of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their opening goal during the La Liga match between Cordoba CF and Real Madrid CF at El Arcangel stadium on January 24, 2015 © Getty Images

The hosts took a shock lead against the European champions after just three minutes as Sergio Ramos's handball in the box prompted the referee to give Cordoba a penalty.

Nabil Ghilas stepped up and fired a powerful shot past Iker Casillas and into the top corner of the Madrid net.

Miroslav Djukic's charges continued to press forward and nearly doubled their lead in the ninth minute when Ghilas whipped a ball in the direction of the unmarked Fede Vico, but the cross proved too heavy for the young striker.

The visitors probed forward in a bid to find an equaliser, and had a great opportunity to do so when Vico brought down James Rodriguez just outside the box. However, Cristiano Ronaldo's subsequent free kick flew high and wide of the crossbar.

Nevertheless, Real were able to get themselves onto the scoresheet just before the half-hour mark when Karim Benzema poked home following a corner from the left.

Both sides continued to have chances, as Bebe and Ronaldo threatened for their respective teams, but they had to be content with being level at the break.

The game continued to provide relentless action as both sides played attacking football, with Florin Andone shrugging off Raphael Varane outside the box in the 69th minute before lifting his effort over Casillas and against the crossbar.

Madrid then found themselves with a mountain to climb as Ronaldo was sent off for appearing to kick out at Edimar in the 83rd minute.

However, right at the death, Cordoba conceded a penalty when Fede handled inside the box, with Bale stepping up and sealing all three points from the spot.