Valencia beat Real Madrid to end record win streak

Real Madrid’s 22-game winning run was brought to an end as an inspired Valencia side claimed a stunning 2-1 win over the Liga table-toppers.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side had looked on course for a 23rd straight victory, which would have put them within one game of equalling the world record for consecutive victories by a professional football team, but a rampant Valencia turned the game on its head at the start of the second half.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s first half penalty was first of all cancelled out by Antonio Barragan, whose deflected strike off Pepe found Iker Casillas’ net, with the veteran Real Madrid goalkeeper wrong-footed.

And the quickfire turnaround was completed when Nicolas Otamendi - who had impressed all the way through the contest - thundered home a header from a corner kick to give Valencia a 2-1 lead.

Barragan passed up a golden chance to put the hosts further ahead, putting a shot wide of the target after being released clean through on goal, with Real Madrid and most notably Isco spurning opportunities of their own.

14’ GOAL! Valencia 0 Real Madrid 1: Alves tries to distract Ronaldo, but the Real Madrid number seven steps up and converts the spot kick from 12 yards.

31’ HUGE CHANCE: How did he not score?! Bale's cross is taken round the goalkeeper in close quarters by Ronaldo, who somehow manages to shoot into the side netting after he'd done all the hard work.

44’ VALENCIA OPPORTUNITY: Big chance for Valencia! Barragan collects the ball just inside the box, with Ramos caught out of position, but he slams his shot into the back of Pepe when he should have done so much better!

46’ WOODWORK: Off the post! Gomes moves the ball on to his left foot on the edge of the box, with his strike taking a nasty deflection. But the effort rebounds off the post, with Casillas making the close range stop. Wow!

52’ GOAL! Valencia 1 Real Madrid 1: Game well and truly on! Barragan's shot from the edge of the penalty area takes a big deflection and finds the net.

59’ BALE CHANCE: Bale should have scored! The winger is released through on goal, but just as he looks set to pull the trigger Otamendi makes a crucial challenge to deny Real Madrid from regaining the lead.

65’ GOAL! Valencia 2 Real Madrid 1: And Valencia have taken the lead! Otamendi rises higher than anyone else to power a header past Casillas. Wow!

69’ BARRAGAN MISS: How did that not go in?! Wow. Barragan is released clean through on goal after a great passing move, but he puts his shot wide of the target. The Valencia midfielder should have scored.

88’ ISCO OPPORTUNITY: That was the chance for Real Madrid! Isco gets on the end of a Marcelo cross, with Alves making a reflex save before Otamendi clears from underneath his own crossbar. Wow, wow, wow!

Real Madrid completed just 78% of their passes against Valencia, their lowest passing accuracy in a league game this season.

Real Madrid have scored their first goal of the game from the penalty spot in five matches this term, more than any other La Liga side.

Has the Spanish title race been revitalised? With Real Madrid stringing a record 22 consecutive wins together, and Atletico and Barcelona stumbling, the Liga title race appeared to be all but over before Christmas. But Atletico’s win on Saturday, coupled with Real’s defeat at the Mestalla has given the race for top spot new life. Just two points now separates the top three in Spain in what promises to be a compelling final stretch.

Nicolas Otamendi (Valencia): The centre-back will be credited with the goal that ended Real Madrid’s record winning run (and what a goal it was too) but Otamendi’s overall performance was just as impressive, with one challenge in particular preventing Real Madrid from doubling their lead in the first half. That actually proved to be something of a turning point in the match. It’s unlikely Ronaldo will come up against a tougher opponent all season.

Valencia: Alves 7, Orban 6, Otamendi 8, Mustafi 6, Piatti 5, Perez 6, Parejo 6, Barragan 8, Gomes 7, Alcacer 7, Negredo 7. Subs - Gaya 7, Feghouli 5, Rodrigo.

Real Madrid: Casillas 5, Marcelo 6, Ramos 6, Pepe 6, Carvajal 6, James 5, Kroos 5, Isco 7, Bale 7, Ronaldo 6, Benzema 5. Subs - Khedira 5, Jese 5, Hernandez.