Real Madrid’s hopes of closing the gap on Barcelona in La Liga were dashed after a 2-1 home defeat to Valencia.
The match at the Santiago Bernabeu took a dramatic turn when Hugo Duro, a former Madrid youth player, scored a header in added time to seal the win for Valencia.
Real Madrid had the chance to take the lead early, but Vinicius Junior’s weak penalty was saved by Valencia’s Giorgi Mamardashvili. Valencia responded quickly, with Mouctar Diakhaby scoring from a corner.
Madrid equalized in the second half through Vinicius, but failed to capitalize on multiple chances. Duro’s late strike on the counter-attack left Madrid’s title hopes hanging by a thread.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti noted, “La Liga is more complicated, but we have to fight until the last game.”
