🚨 Real Madrid stunned in home loss against Valencia
Real Madrid have stumbled at a critical period in the La Liga title race after a shock 2-1 home defeat against visiting Valencia.
Scorers: Vinícius Júnior 50'; Diakhaby 15', Duro 90+5'
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With pressure mounting by the week amid the mad dash to see who claims top honours in La Liga by the end of the season and a looming Champions League meeting with Arsenal in midweek, it was a result many would have wanted to avoid.
Early events at the Bernabeu were perhaps foreboding when Los Blancos earned a penalty at the 10-minute mark.
Rather than Kylian Mbappé retain his position as number-one taker, Vinícius Júnior stepped up from the spot only to be denied by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
It would get worse for the Spanish giant moments later when Mouctar Diakhaby headed home from a corner to open the scoring in the 15th minute, with Real Madrid fans unafraid to voice their displeasure around the ground throughout.
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Real Madrid would battle back after the halftime interval, however, with Vini Jr making amends to find the equaliser while equaling Ronaldo Fenômeno's goal record for a Brasilian at the club, with the winger now sitting on 104 goals.
Try as they may, Carlo Ancelotti's side were unable to find a match-winner in the Spanish capital despite receiving six minutes of additional time.
However, Valencia would end up victorious at the Bernabeu for the first time in 17 years when Hugo Duro headed home from close range to settle matters in the fifth minute of added time, stunning the home crowd into silence.
With Barcelona due to play later this evening against Real Betis, Los Blancos will sit back and hope for a miracle in Catalunya to keep hopes alive of running down their most hated rival.
📸 JAVIER SORIANO - AFP or licensors
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