Valencia gave their top four hopes a boost on Wednesday with a 2-1 victory over Real Madrid, the first defeat suffered by Zinedine Zidane since his return to the capital club.
Valencia came into the match in seventh, but knew they could close the gap on fourth-placed Getafe after their 1-1 draw at Espanyol on Tuesday.
They took the lead in front of their own fans ten minutes before the break when Goncalo Guedes played a lovely one-two with Carlos Soler and then fired home at the near post.
Goncalo Guedes of Valencia CF Celebrates 1-0 during the La Liga Santander match between Valencia v Real Madrid at the Estadio de Mestalla on April 3, 2019 in Valencia Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
With the Mestalla rocking Valencia doubled their lead in the closing stages when Ezequiel Garay headed home from Dani Parejo’s corner, it’s the defender’s second goal of the season with the other coming against Barcelona.
A very late header from Karim Benzema got Real on the scoresheet not long after Sergio Ramos had been awarded a penalty kick only for the decision to be reversed after a VAR review. Valencia, however, held out for the win and they are now 17 unbeaten in all competitions.
Valencia move up to fifth, just a point behind Getafe in the Champions League places, while Real Madrid stay third, five points behind Atletico Madrid in second place and a massive 13 points behind table-toppers and rivals Barcelona.
TALKING POINT - First defeat under Zinedine Zidane underlines Real Madrid’s problems
For this game, one of the trickiest away fixtures in La Liga, Zidane picked what he maybe see as his strongest team. Against both Celta Vigo and Huesca, Real Madrid coasted, but against a much stronger Valencia side in good form, they lacked identity and deserved to lose. On this basis, a dismal, characterless defeat, Zidane has a lot of work to do between now and the start of the 2019/20 season.
Zinedine Zidane, head coach of Real Madrid CF reacts during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at Estadio Mestalla on April 03, 2019 in Valencia, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
MAN OF THE MATCH - Dani Parejo (Valencia)
There were a number of standout performers for Valencia as they claimed a deserved win over the visitors to the Mestalla. Garay impressed, adding his name to the score sheet with a header, with Geoffrey Kondogbia also playing a role in the win. But it was Dani Parejo who shone brightest. He is one of the most enjoyable players to watch in La Liga and this was a demonstration of what makes him so brilliant.
Dani Parejo, captain of Valencia CF looks during the La Liga match between Valencia CF and Real Madrid CF at Mestalla stadium on April 03, 2019 in Valencia, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
PLAYER RATINGS
Valencia - Neto 6, Wass 6, Garay 8, Diakhaby 6, Gaya 7, Soler 6, Parejo 8, Kondogbia 8, Guedes 7, Rodrigo 7, Gameiro 6. Subs - Cheryshev 5, Mina 5, Torres 5.
Real Madrid - Navas 6, Odriozola 6, Varane 5, Ramos 5, Marcelo 4, Casemiro 5, Kroos 5, Modric 5, Vazquez 5, Asensio 5, Benzema 7. Subs - Isco 5, Bale 5, Mariano 4.
KEY MOMENTS
35’ GOAL! Valencia 1-0 Real Madrid: It's an opener for Valencia! They have probably been second best so far, but they have the lead! Soler and Guedes played a neat one-two and then the Portuguese forward lashed a finish in at the near post! Great goal from the home side who have the advantage!
Goncalo Guedes (Valence)
Image credit: Getty Images
53’ Navas saves from Soler! Valencia countered at pace, Soler was played through by Rodrigo, but rather than squaring for Guedes he shoots himself and Navas comes off his line to smother.
75’ Valencia blow it! That should have been the second goal! Valencia had a four-on-one, but Gameiro and Soler both tried backheel finishes and that gave Navas the chance to make the save! What an opportunity.
83’ GOAL! Valencia 2-0 Real Madrid: The hosts have doubled their lead with just seven minutes left to play! Parejo swung the corner kick into the Real Madrid penalty area from the left side and Garay got ahead of Casemiro to direct a header down into the ground and into the back of the net.
91’ PENALTY KICK TO REAL MADRID! Ramos was bundled over inside the box as he attempted to get on the end of a cross and the referee has pointed to the penalty spot! But is he offside?
Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Valencia v Real Madrid at the Estadio de Mestalla on April 3, 2019 in Valencia Spain
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92’ No penalty! The officials use VAR to determine that Ramos was in fact offside when the cross was played into the Valencia box and there goes Real Madrid's late lifeline. Game over.
93’ GOAL! Valencia 2-1 Real Madrid: They couldn't, could they? Valencia have been a little slack in the final few minutes of this match and they allowed Benzema to drift free of his marker and head home from a corner kick. Surely it's too late for Real Madrid to score another, though?
Karim Benzema of Real Madrid Celebrates 2-1 with Luka Modric of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Valencia v Real Madrid at the Estadio de Mestalla on April 3, 2019 in Valencia Spain
Image credit: Getty Images
KEY STATS
Real Madrid have conceded the joint-most goals (61) in La Liga this season (bottom place Huesca have also conceded 61).
Valencia are on a 17-match unbeaten run, the best current streak of any side in any of Europe’s big five leagues.
This season in La Liga Real Madrid have lost seven more games than Barcelona, five more games than Atletico Madrid and Valencia, two more games than Getafe and Athletic Club and the same amount of games as Eibar.
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