Real Madrid suffered an unexpected 2-1 home defeat to Valencia, with Vinícius Júnior missing a crucial penalty and Valencia scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner through substitute Hugo Duro.
The defending La Liga champions fell behind when Mouctar Diakhaby headed Valencia in front after 17 minutes, shortly after goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili had saved Vinícius’ penalty. Though Vinícius equalized in the 50th minute, Duro’s late header silenced the Santiago Bernabeu and gave Valencia their first away win of the season.
The defeat could prove costly in the title race, with Barcelona now having the opportunity to extend their three-point lead at the top of the table. Real Madrid was forced to field 19-year-old third-choice goalkeeper Fran González due to injuries to Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin.
This result continues a concerning pattern for Real Madrid, who have struggled with inconsistency in recent weeks despite their star-studded lineup. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed again, raising questions about their ability to maintain a sustained title challenge.
For Valencia, this victory represents a significant boost in their battle to climb the La Liga table. After a difficult start to the season, particularly in away fixtures, this win against one of Spain’s giants could provide the momentum needed to turn their campaign around.
The match also highlighted the growing competitiveness of La Liga this season, with traditional powerhouses finding themselves challenged by determined opposition. As the season progresses, Madrid will need to address these issues quickly if they hope to defend their championship successfully.
