LaLiga: Valencia shocks Real Madrid with 2-1 win at Bernabéu

Valencia snatched a dramatic 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu, courtesy of a stoppage-time header from Hugo Duro, dealing a significant setback to Los Blancos’ La Liga title chase.

Duro, a product of Real Madrid’s youth system, came off the bench in the second half and made the difference in the dying moments.

The forward capped off a swift counter-attack with a decisive header five minutes into added time.

The defeat means Real Madrid missed the opportunity to draw level on points with league leaders Barcelona, who are set to face Real Betis later on Saturday.

“La Liga is more complicated, but we have to fight until the last game,” said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The victory lifted Valencia to 15th, seven points clear of the bottom three.

Real had an early chance to take control when Valencia’s Cesar Tarrega was adjudged to have fouled Kylian Mbappe in the penalty area, but Giorgi Mamardashvili saved a weak spot-kick from Vinicius Junior.

It was the Brazilian’s second consecutive miss from the spot for Real, after he wasted a Champions League penalty against Atletico Madrid.

Within a minute Valencia went up the other end and won a corner.

From it Mouctar Diakhaby outjumped Antonio Rudiger and rocketed home a header.

Real levelled after 50 minutes when Vinicius tapped over the line in a scramble following a Real corner. It was his 104th goal for Los Blancos, matching Brazilian compatriot Ronaldo.

Real gave a lacklustre performance three days before the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final at Arsenal.

Nevertheless, Mbappe carved out enough chances to win, but wasted opportunities in the 36th, 37th, 48th, 49th and 68th minutes.

Valencia’s Georgian goalkeeper Mamardashvili was in imperious form keeping his team in the game until Duro delivered his winner.

Valencia stunned the dominant hosts deep into injury time when a slick countering-attacking move was emphatically finished by Duro from Rafa Mir’s cross.

“They didn’t need to do much to score two goals,” said Ancelotti. “We took risks at the end and found ourselves hit on the counter-attack.

“We’ve had deserved defeats this season, but I don’t think we lacked attitude today,” he added. “It’s not a deserved defeat. We created lots of chances but lacked a little effectiveness.”

Ancelotti started third-choice ‘keeper Fran Gonzalez following injuries to Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin, although the Ukrainian was fit enough to be named on the bench.

In addition to Arsenal, Ancelotti has to focus on the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26 in Seville.

“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,” the Italian said.