Valencia handed Real Madrid a significant blow to their Spanish title hopes, defeating the hosts 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu with a dramatic winner in added time.
Hugo Duro, a former Real Madrid youth player, came off the bench in the second half to finish a counter-attack, heading the ball past Real’s goalkeeper to seal the victory in the fifth minute of added time.
The result left Madrid unable to level on points with Barcelona, who were set to play Real Betis later that Saturday.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating, "La Liga is more complicated, but we have to fight until the last game."
For Valencia, the win moved them up to 15th in the league, creating a seven-point cushion from the relegation zone.
Real Madrid was handed an early opportunity when Valencia’s Cesar Tarrega was penalised for a foul on Kylian Mbappe in the box. However, Giorgi Mamardashvili made an impressive save to deny Vinicius Junior’s weak penalty. It was Vinicius’ second consecutive miss from the spot, following a missed penalty in the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.
Moments after the penalty incident, Valencia took the lead. From a corner, Mouctar Diakhaby rose above Antonio Rudiger to power a header past the Real Madrid goalkeeper.
Real Madrid equalised early in the second half. Vinicius Junior scored in a scramble following a corner, marking his 104th goal for Los Blancos, equalling the tally of Brazilian legend Ronaldo.
Despite their dominance, Real Madrid’s performance was lacklustre, just days before their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Arsenal. Mbappe, despite creating several opportunities, failed to convert in the 36th, 37th, 48th, 49th, and 68th minutes.
Valencia’s goalkeeper, Mamardashvili, was exceptional, keeping his team in the game with a series of key saves. It was in the dying moments, however, that Valencia struck the decisive blow. A swift counter-attack was finished emphatically by Duro, who headed in Rafa Mir’s precise cross.
Ancelotti was critical of his team's inability to capitalise on chances. "They didn't need to do much to score two goals," said the Real Madrid coach. "We took risks at the end and found ourselves hit on the counter-attack." He continued, "We've had deserved defeats this season, but I don't think we lacked attitude today. It's not a deserved defeat. We created lots of chances but lacked a little effectiveness."
In the absence of injured first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Ancelotti opted for third-choice Fran Gonzalez to start, although Andriy Lunin was fit enough to be named on the bench.
Looking ahead, Ancelotti will need to focus on both the upcoming Champions League clash with Arsenal and the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26. "The match against Barca in the Copa del Rey will be different; they'll attack more, and we'll have to be better at the back and be effective up front," said Ancelotti.
