Real Madrid 1-2 Valencia: Late Duro goal boosts Barcelona’s title hopes

Real Madrid had an opportunity to go level on points with Barcelona on Saturday but failed to take it, falling to a 2-1 home defeat against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Hugo Duro struck the decisive goal deep into stoppage time, heading in Rafa Mir’s cross to condemn Los Blancos to just their second home La Liga defeat of the season.

The result leaves them three points behind league leaders Barcelona, who can now stretch the gap to six with a game in hand.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side started brightly and could have taken an early lead when Kylian Mbappe won a penalty in the 12th minute.

However, Vinicius Junior, who had missed from the spot in a recent Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid, produced another poor effort that was easily saved by Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Valencia quickly punished Madrid’s wastefulness. Mouctar Diakhaby rose above Antonio Rudiger to head home Andre Almeida’s corner and stun the home crowd.

Vinicius atoned for his miss after the break by turning in Jude Bellingham’s flicked header at the far post to make it 1-1, but the hosts could not build on the momentum.

Madrid dominated possession and created multiple chances, but Mamardashvili stood firm, pulling off a string of saves to frustrate the home side.

Mbappe had several attempts blocked, while substitute Joselu also failed to score in a frantic final period.

The decisive moment came in the 95th minute when Valencia broke forward on the counter and caught Madrid short at the back.

Mir’s pinpoint delivery was met by Duro, whose header sealed the first away win of the season for the visitors and their first at the Bernabeu since 2008.

Ancelotti admitted his side missed an opportunity and lacked composure in key moments, particularly in their defensive transitions.

The defeat raises concerns ahead of Madrid’s Champions League quarter-final first leg at Arsenal on Tuesday.