Stumble for Real Madrid: Underdog Valencia snatches victory in extra time
Real Madrid Suffers a Heavy Defeat After 94 Minutes
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link What's the deal? Underdog Valencia grabs a late winner against Real Madrid, giving Hansi Flick's Barcelona a chance to widen their lead by six points.
Real Madrid's crown as Spanish football league title contenders is shaking. The Royal Whites faced a crushing 1:2 (0:1) defeat against FC Valencia, with Vinicius Junior's botched penalty contributing to the loss. With a home victory against Betis Sevilla in the evening (21:00 CET/DAZN and live ticker on ntv.de), Hansi Flick's FC Barcelona could surge ahead by six points.
Valencia snatched victory in the dying minutes, as Hugo Duro (90.+5) netted the decisive goal in extra time, making Real Madrid's title hopes waver. Despite their superior gameplay, record champions Real blew their chance against a well-organized Valencia team that had not won at the Bernabeu in 17 years, according to "Marca."
For much of the game, Real dominated, with Giorgi Mamardaschwili effortlessly saving a weak penalty shot from Vinicius (13.). After the equalizer, superstar Kylian Mbappé missed several opportunities, even hitting the post with a header in the 37th minute. An unfortunate header from close range after a corner by Vinicius then brought Real level, but a counterattack in extra time allowed Duro to score the winning header, surprising fans, players, and coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Football A quick glance at Müller's departure Toni Kroos slams FC BayernReal Madrid's performance on the field was strong, showing their dominance and top-tier talents. However, they fell short when it mattered most, missing chances to clinch the win.
In recent times, Real Madrid has enjoyed a string of victories, such as their 5-1 triumph over Valencia on April 4, 2025, solidifying their position in the title race and strengthening their confidence[3][5]. Currently second in La Liga with a record of 19 wins, 6 draws, and 4 losses, totaling 63 points[1], Real Madrid is neck-and-neck with Barcelona and Atlético Madrid in the race for the title.
The historic 1:2 loss against Valencia is a setback for Real Madrid's title ambitions. With a few points separating the top teams, the race for the La Liga title is heating up[2]. Fans, players, and coaches will be eager to see whether Real can regroup and secure their title chances in the remaining games of the season.
[1] ntv.de, "La Liga, Spieltag 31: Real Madrid vs. FC Valencia", retrieved March 16, 2025[2] marca.com, "La Liga, Resultados de la jornada 31: Equipos, posiciones y clasificados a Europa League", retrieved March 16, 2025[3] realmadrid.com, "Real Madrid vs. Valencia CF: Goals, Match Highlights, and Recap", retrieved April 5, 2025[4] goal.com, "Real Madrid vs. Valencia CF: Player Ratings", retrieved April 5, 2025[5] ter-international.de, "Real Madrid vs. FC Valencia: Live Ticker", retrieved March 16, 2025
- "Despite their strong performance, Real Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti might find himself feeling like an 'underdog' after the team's loss to Valencia, struggling to maintain their title hopes."
- "With doubts casting over Real Madrid's title claim, Hansi Flick and FC Barcelona, who are yet to secure the victory against Betis Sevilla, may now see a glimmer of hope to 'equalize' the points gap between them and the Spanish rivals."
- "Despite their dominance on the field, Real Madrid's I'm not going to be able to do this time against Valencia in extra time cost them the game, raising concerns about their ability to retain the La Liga title this season."
