Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes took a painful hit on Saturday as Valencia shocked the Bernabeu with a dramatic 95th-minute winner, courtesy of Hugo Duro, in one of the most gripping finishes of the season.
With the game seemingly headed for a draw, Rafa Mir whipped in a perfect cross, and Duro was in the right place at the right time to head home from close range, snatching all three points for Valencia and silencing the Madrid faithful.
Valencia had taken the lead earlier in the match through Mouctar Diakhaby, who powered a header past Madrid’s 19-year-old debutant goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez, making history as the youngest Real Madrid keeper to debut in La Liga since Iker Casillas in 1999.
Real Madrid had a golden chance to go ahead just before half-time when Vinicius Jr. stepped up for a penalty after César Tarrega was ruled to have fouled Kylian Mbappé. But Giorgi Mamardashvili guessed correctly and saved it with ease — Madrid’s fifth missed penalty this season, their worst record since at least 2013.
Vinicius would later redeem himself, smashing in the equalizer shortly after the break to bring the game back to life. Mbappé had moments of brilliance but failed to find the back of the net, as Valencia’s defense held firm in a tense finish.
The loss keeps Madrid three points behind league leaders Barcelona, who still have a game in hand. To make matters worse, Madrid’s injury woes continue with Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin both sidelined, forcing young Gonzalez into action on one of the season’s biggest stages.
For Valencia, it was a historic evening — their first win at the Santiago Bernabeu since 2008 — and a massive confidence boost in their push up the table.
Real Madrid now shift focus to Europe, traveling to London to face Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final. But after a stunning late defeat, questions hang over their form and finishing just days before the high-stakes clash.
