adminCristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring for the visitors but the home side produced a stunning comeback to take all three points yesterday.
Valencia brought Real Madrid’s 22-match winning streak to a halt as they came from behind to win 2-1 at the Mestalla and blow the La Liga title race wide open.
The home side were superb from the off, but the newly-crowned Club World Cup champions still took an early lead courtesy of a controversial penalty from their talisman Cristiano Ronaldo — his 26th Liga goal of the campaign.
However, the hosts were undeterred and forced a thoroughly deserved equaliser shortly after half-time through Antonio Barragan’s first Liga strike since March 2007.
And, roared on by a boisterous home crowd, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men edged in front on 65 minutes when Nicolas Otamendi rose highest to power a towering header beyond Iker Casillas from Dani Parejo’s excellent corner. There was no way back for Real and the game ended 2-1 to the hosts.
Meanwhile, defending La Liga champions Atletico Madrid beat Levante 3-1 on Saturday and cut the gap between themselves and leaders Real Madrid to just a point.
Atletico also unveiled returning striker Fernando Torres in front of 45 000 fans at the Vicente Calderon. — Goal.com
Online Reporter