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Valencia logo
La Liga
Jan 4, 2015 at 4pm UK
 
Real Madrid logo

2-1

Pepe (53' og.), Otamendi (65')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Ronaldo (14' pen.)

Real Madrid's record run ended by Valencia

Valencia end Real Madrid's 22-match Spanish-record winning streak by coming from behind to secure a 2-1 victory over the La Liga leaders at the Mestalla.

Valencia sent shockwaves through La Liga by coming from behind to end Real Madrid's record-breaking winning streak with a 2-1 victory at the Mestalla.

Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty had put Los Blancos on course for a 23rd straight victory in all competitions, but the hosts struck twice in 13 second-half minutes to claim the honour of halting the run.

Manchester City loanee Alvaro Negredo was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box on 14 minutes, and Ronaldo was never going to miss.

It was the Ballon d'Or favourite's 33rd goal in 25 club appearances this season and came via the first clear-cut chance of a somewhat scrappy opening.

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF v Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 4, 2015© Getty Images

The Portuguese should have perhaps doubled his tally and Madrid's cushion when he ran on to a through-ball from Gareth Bale and rounded Valencia stopper Diego Alves, only to shoot into the side-netting.

Valencia finished the half strongly and twice came close to an equaliser as Pepe produced a crucial block to deny Antonio Barragan, and Andre Gomes struck the post with an effort which had Iker Casillas beaten.

The hosts continued pushing forward after the interval as a confident half-volley from Gomes dipped just wide of the post, and soon did grab their deserved equaliser courtesy of some Madrid assistance.

Full-back Barragan advanced into the box once more on 52 minutes and, while Pepe was again across to get in the way of his shot, the ball deflected off the visiting defender and into the back of the net.

Valencia's defender Antonio Barragan Fernandez celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF v Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 4, 2015© Getty Images

After Bale had squandered a chance to restore Real's lead by shooting at Alves when Karim Benzema was better placed, Nicolas Otamendi headed in Daniel Parejo's corner to complete Valencia's turnaround.

Madrid's feathers were well and truly ruffled and they could have been 3-1 down when Barragan nearly fired the ball into the bottom corner after another rampaging run into the Real box went unchecked.

A response from Carlo Ancelotti's side was a while in coming, but they did have several good chances to peg Valencia back in the final stages, with Sergio Ramos sending a free header narrowly wide of the post.

They were to come closer still when Isco guided Dani Carvajal's 85th-minute cross towards goal. Alves blocked, but still required Otamendi to rescue him by hooking the ball away off the line.

Madrid's first defeat since September 13 opens the door for Barcelona to leapfrog them with victory over Real Sociedad tonight, while the victory takes Valencia fourth and to within five points of the La Liga leaders.

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Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates his goal during the Spanish league football match Valencia CF v Real Madrid CF at the Mestalla stadium in Valencia on January 4, 2015
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona12110140112933
2Real Madrid1173121111024
3Atletico MadridAtletico126511871123
4Villarreal116322019121
5Osasuna126331716121
6Athletic Bilbao125431812619
7Real BetisBetis125431210219
8Mallorca12534109118
9Rayo Vallecano114431210216
10Celta Vigo125161820-216
11Real Sociedad124351010015
12GironaGirona124351517-215
13Sevilla124351217-515
14AlavesAlaves124171419-513
15Leganes122551216-411
16Getafe12174810-210
17Espanyol123181122-1110
18Las PalmasLas Palmas122371321-89
19Real ValladolidValladolid12228924-158
20Valencia11146817-97


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