REAL MADRID’S LA Liga title hopes suffered a huge blow as they could only manage a 2-2 draw at home by Valencia on Sunday.
Earlier, leaders Atletico Madrid’s 2-0 defeat away Levante, in a game overshadowed by fresh claims of racism at a Spanish game, appeared to have given Real new life in their bid for a historic treble.
However, despite a stunning back-heeled injury time equaliser from Cristiano Ronaldo to rescue a point, Atletico now just need four points from their last two games to win La Liga for the first time in 18 years.
Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were starting together in the league for the first time in over a month and nearly combined for the opener after just three minutes as Ronaldo latched onto Bale’s lovely cushioned pass but shot straight at Diego Alves in the Valencia goal.
Karim Benzema then headed just over after more good work by Bale before Valencia showed their threat on the counter on 16 minutes when Diego Lopez did well to turn Dani Parejo’s powerful header onto the bar.
Ronaldo then had a trio of efforts parried by Alves, but the visitors broke well again three minutes before half-time and after Lopez had turned Sofiane Fegouli’s fierce drive over, Jeremy Mathieu bundled the ball home from the resulting corner.
Lopez had to be alert again to prevent Paco Alcacer from doubling Valencia’s advantage seven minutes after the break.
However, Madrid then laid seige to the Valencia goal and after Alves had produced another brilliant save to deny Ronaldo, they finally found a way past the Brazilian when Ramos headed home from close range.
The hosts were only level for five minutes, though, as Feghouli’s cross from the right fell perfectly for Parejo to put Valencia back in front.
Ronaldo snatched at least a point for the hosts when he produced a moment of magic in the second minute of stoppage time to backheel Angel di Maria’s cross past Alves for his 50th goal of the season.
Check out his ridiculous finish:
https://vine.co/v/M6ztmrVtBDj