Madrid – Real Madrid’s hopes of overhauling La Liga leaders Barcelona suffered a stinging blow when they were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Valencia on Saturday to slip four points behind their arch rivals with two games left.
Fourth-placed Valencia raced into a surprise 2-0 lead at the Bernabeu through goals from Paco Alcacer and Javi Fuego before Real forward Cristiano Ronaldo had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Diego Alves on the stroke of half-time.
Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Javier Hernandez had earlier struck efforts against the frame of the goal and Real’s Germany midfielder Toni Kroos had to be replaced by Asier Illarramendi because of a suspected muscle injury.
Pepe pulled a goal back for Real with a header from a corner 11 minutes into the second half and Isco levelled with a superb curling shot six minutes from time but Valencia held on in an action-packed finale.
It was Real’s second consecutive game without a win after the holders went down 2-1 at Juventus in Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final, first leg, with the return to come at the Bernabeu on Wednesday.
Barca have 90 points after they won 2-0 at home to Real Sociedad earlier on Saturday, with Real on 86 and champions Atletico Madrid 10 points further adrift in third ahead of their game at Levante on Sunday. – Reuters