Real Madrid Stunned at Home, Barcelona Held \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes took a major hit with a 2-1 home loss to Valencia after Vinícius Júnior missed a penalty and Hugo Duro scored in stoppage time. Barcelona failed to capitalize, drawing 1-1 with Real Betis. With eight games left, including a clasico, the title race remains open.
Quick Looks
- Real Madrid loses 2-1 to Valencia at home
- Vinícius Júnior misses early penalty, later scores equalizer
- Hugo Duro nets stoppage-time winner for Valencia
- Madrid forced to play third-string goalkeeper Fran González
- Barcelona draws 1-1 with Real Betis at home
- Gavi scores for Barça; Natan equalizes for Betis
- Barcelona now four points ahead of Madrid in standings
- Valencia earns first away win of the season
- Ancelotti says title fight now “much harder”
- Barça hosts Dortmund midweek in Champions League action
Deep Look
Real Madrid’s bid to reclaim the La Liga crown took a serious blow on Saturday, suffering a stunning 2-1 home defeat to Valencia at Santiago Bernabéu. The loss, combined with Barcelona’s 1-1 draw against Real Betis, leaves the Catalan club four points ahead with eight rounds to play, including a pivotal Clasico showdown in May.
Madrid’s match unraveled early when Vinícius Júnior missed a penalty — his second high-profile miss in recent weeks — and Mouctar Diakhaby gave Valencia a 17th-minute lead with a towering header. Although Vinícius later equalized, super-sub Hugo Duro broke the deadlock in stoppage time, silencing the Bernabéu and sealing Valencia’s first away win of the season.
Vinícius Misfires Again from the Spot
It was a nightmare start for the Brazilian winger. After earning a penalty via Kylian Mbappé’s break into the box, Vinícius stepped up with confidence — but his low, centered effort was easily saved by Valencia keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Just minutes later, Diakhaby, freshly returned from a leg injury, outjumped Antonio Rüdiger and headed in a perfect corner from André Almeida, shocking the home crowd.
Vinícius managed to partially atone for his earlier error, slotting home at the far post in the 50th minute after Jude Bellingham flicked on a corner. But despite heavy pressure from Madrid, it was Valencia that struck last.
Young Goalkeeper Thrust into Spotlight
Real Madrid’s lineup featured 19-year-old Fran González making his senior debut in goal. With both Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin sidelined, manager Carlo Ancelotti had little choice but to rely on the third-string keeper.
González made several solid stops but could do little to prevent the late winner, when Rafa Mir delivered a sharp low cross and Duro smashed it home past the young keeper in the final seconds.
“We deserved to win, but football is about moments,” said Ancelotti. “That missed penalty and late goal were the details that doomed us.”
Ancelotti: “Title Fight Much Harder Now”
While defending his team’s effort, Ancelotti admitted that the loss significantly complicated Madrid’s title defense.
“It is much harder now to fight for the league,” he said. “But we only have one idea, and that is to fight until the end.”
He also praised Vinícius’ mental focus and dismissed concerns over the crowd’s scattered jeers after the penalty miss.
“He always gives everything. That won’t change,” the manager added.
Valencia Celebrates Breakthrough Victory
For Carlos Corberán’s Valencia, the win was a massive boost. The team has surged under Corberán’s leadership after he replaced Rubén Baraja in December, lifting them from the relegation zone to 15th place.
“We hadn’t won on the road, and what better place than here?” said Javi Guerra, Valencia midfielder. “These three points are huge for us.”
Corberán credited his squad’s mentality.
“To compete from start to finish at a place like the Bernabéu takes character. The attitude of the players made the difference,” he said.
Barcelona Misses Chance to Extend Lead
Just hours after Madrid’s slip-up, Barcelona hosted Real Betis and had a chance to extend their league lead to six points — but couldn’t capitalize.
Gavi Páez opened the scoring in the 7th minute, converting a tidy move initiated by Ferran Torres. But Natan equalized just 10 minutes later, heading in a well-placed cross to level the match.
Despite dominating possession and launching a flurry of second-half attempts, Barça couldn’t break through. Betis goalkeeper Adrián San Miguel and ex-Barcelona defender Marc Bartra made crucial stops to preserve the draw.
“We had our chances but couldn’t convert,” Gavi said. “We leave with a bitter taste in our mouths.”
Title Race Update: What’s Next?
The draw leaves Barcelona with a four-point cushion atop the table. While that offers some breathing room, the upcoming Clasico clash in May could determine the fate of the championship.
Real Madrid, now under pressure, must hope for a Barça stumble while also focusing on their own upcoming Champions League quarterfinal tie against Arsenal — where goalkeeper injuries could again play a factor.
Barcelona, meanwhile, will host Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Elsewhere in La Liga
- Celta Vigo defeated Mallorca 2-1 in an away victory.
- Alavés stunned Girona 1-0 on the road.
- Betis’ draw at Barcelona maintains their fifth-place standing and momentum in the race for European qualification.
Real Madrid Stunned
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