Real Lose in Stoppage Time in Match That Could Decide La Liga
Despite a goal from Vinicius Jr., who also missed a penalty, Real Madrid fell 1-2 at home to Valencia in Round 30 of La Liga.
In the fifth minute of second-half stoppage time, midfielder Diego Lopez played a slick one-touch through ball down the right side of the box for Rafa Mir. Mir crossed with his right foot, setting up striker Hugo Duro for a close-range header past 19-year-old goalkeeper Fran Gonzalez, sealing the 2-1 win for Valencia. Both Lopez and Duro, former Real Madrid players, played a key role in downing their former team with that decisive goal.
Valencia players celebrated Hugo Duro’s game-winning goal at Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on April 5, 2025. The win pushed them seven points clear of the relegation zone, prompting many of their bench players to storm the pitch in celebration. On the other hand, Real now risk falling six points behind league leaders Barcelona, should Hansi Flick’s side defeat Real Betis in this round. According to Marca, Valencia’s upset could be the moment that “put the title in Barca’s hands.”
The defeat comes just three days before Real face Arsenal in the first leg of the Champions League quarterfinal at the Emirates. Coach Carlo Ancelotti still fielded his strongest lineup against Valencia, hoping to stay on course for a treble, but the attacking stars failed to meet expectations.
Vinicius Jr. had earlier equalized and celebrated with Kylian Mbappe, but missed a penalty that might’ve changed the game’s course.
In the 9th minute, midfielder Federico Valverde launched a long ball for Mbappe, who broke the offside trap and sprinted into the box before being fouled from behind by center-back Cesar Tárrega. Thanks to VAR, referee Cuadra Fernandez awarded Real a penalty. However, instead of Mbappe, it was Vinicius who stepped up—and his low shot to the right was saved by Liverpool-loanee goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.
On the sidelines, Ancelotti was visibly frustrated. This season, Real have missed 5 of 16 penalties—barely converting 69%. Vinicius has missed twice, as have Mbappe and Jude Bellingham (once).
Just two minutes after the missed penalty, Valencia struck first. Lopez delivered a corner for center-back Mouctar Diakhaby, who outjumped Antonio Rudiger to head into the far corner. Diakhaby later accidentally scored an own goal in the 21st minute, but Real’s equalizer was ruled out due to an earlier offside on Mbappe.
Real finally leveled in the 50th minute, from a Luka Modric corner. Bellingham flicked the ball across the box for Vinicius to stretch and tap into the open net.
From then on, Real dominated but couldn’t beat Mamardashvili again. The Georgian international made seven saves in total, denying four clear chances. In the dying moments, he even blocked a close-range shot from Rudiger. Unsurprisingly, he was named Man of the Match.
Valencia became only the second team to win at Bernabeu in La Liga this season, after Barcelona. Ancelotti’s squad must regroup quickly before their trip to England—otherwise, their season could unravel in a matter of days.
