VALENCIA (REUTERS) - Real Madrid's harrowing campaign continued as they fell to a ninth defeat in La Liga and their first since coach Zinedine Zidane returned as they were deservedly beaten 2-1 away by a resurgent Valencia on Wednesday (April 3).
Portugal international Goncalo Guedes fired Valencia into the lead in the 35th minute with a thumping shot from inside the area which was too powerful for Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Madrid had played well until conceding, but lost momentum after the goal and Valencia continued to threaten into the second half, finally doubling their lead with a header by defender Ezequiel Garay from a corner in the 83rd.
Karim Benzema headed in a consolation goal for Madrid in stoppage time, shortly after Zidane's side had a penalty decision overturned after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review ruled Sergio Ramos was offside.
Madrid are stuck in third on 57 points, 13 behind La Liga leaders Barcelona and five behind city rivals Atletico Madrid.
Valencia, who have reached the Copa del Rey final and the quarter-finals of the Europa League, have Champions League qualification in their sights after climbing up to fifth in the table on 46 points, one behind fourth-placed Getafe.
The win extended their unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions, their longest stretch without defeat in their 100-year history.
"We know that this has been a difficult year and we are working hard to make sure we come back stronger next season and I'm sure we will," Madrid midfielder Casemiro told reporters.
"We were in control for the first half then they scored and got more confident. We worked hard in the second half and tried to get back in the game but goals are what count. This defeat is difficult for us, we know we are not doing well but we must keep working."
It was Zidane's first away game since returning to the club after Santiago Solari was sacked last month, having won his first two games back against Celta Vigo and Huesca.
As he had promised ahead of the match, the Frenchman made sweeping changes from the team that had beaten Huesca, bringing back seven players including Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Navas as Isco and Gareth Bale dropped to the bench.
Madrid dominated the early stages but could not turn their possession to chances and once Valencia took the lead through Guedes they rarely looked like letting it slip.
Marcelino's side missed a gilt-edged chance to seal victory when Kevin Gameiro attempted a backheel pass towards Carlos Soler when it would have been easier to shoot at goal.
But Argentine Garay made up for his team mate's wastefulness by effectively sealing the points with a towering header from captain Dani Parejo's corner.
Birmingham hit with nine-point deduction after breaching financial rules Posted on March 22, 2019 by yasir kaneria in Football , Sports The Championship side broke the EFL's profitability and sustainability regulations and faced a possible 12-point deduction and a transfer ban.
Birmingham hit with nine-point deduction - Football Paradise
Manchester United's Champions League hopes were hanging by a thread after a 2-0 home defeat by Paris St Germain in their round-of-16, first leg match on Tuesday, with talisman Paul Pogba sent off late in the game.
PSG take charge with 2-0 win at Manchester United, Paul Pogba
MADRID (Reuters) - Holders Real Madrid were sensationally knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday after being thrashed 4-1 at home by an outstanding Ajax Amsterdam who overturned a first
Real Madrid knocked out of Champions League by brilliant Ajax
Neil Warnock has held countless news conferences during his 40-year coaching career but none quite like Monday's when the Cardiff City boss spoke for the first time of his anguish at the
Soccer: Hegerberg-less Norway canter past Nigeria Saturday, June 08, 2019 4:12 p.m. CDT Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - Norway v Nigeria - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 8, 2019 Norway's Guro Reiten
Soccer: Hegerberg-less Norway canter past Nigeria | News | i106.7
You can learn a lot when a small delegation of highly-trusted testers inspects your brave new world for the very first time. Insights tumble from their unspoiled, eager minds like the luminous heaps of loot that litter the ground after a hearty battle.
Super Rugby: Chiefs' fate virtually in their own hands as
Ban completely unfair: Pochettino LONDON • Mauricio Pochettino is shocked at receiving a two-game touchline ban and a £10,000 (S$17,800) fine for his conduct following the 2-1 Premier League defeat at Burnley last month.
Spurs boss Pochettino shocked by 'completely unfair
Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is facing disciplinary action for his celebration after one of the three goals he scored in last week's 3-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League. UEFA said the Portuguese would face a hearing on Thursday for "improper conduct" during the last-16 second leg match, where Juventus completed a 3-2
Ronaldo faces disciplinary hearing over goal celebration
Football: Mourinho rejects offers, reveals fragile ego at United
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 26, 2019, with the headline 'Teenage Italy midfielder Zaniolo oozes Roman pedigree'. Print Edition | Subscribe
Teenage Italy midfielder Zaniolo oozes Roman pedigree
Holding Out for the Best Framing Hammer Siding & Roofing Tool Reviews December 31, 2015 Thomas Gaige Arguably one of the oldest tools known to humanity is the hammer—the irony being that we are still trying to coming up with new ways to improve it.
Respect: Thor Odinson (Marvel, 616) : respectthreads
Premier League: Southampton Stun Fading Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle Edge Five-Goal Everton Thriller Updated: 09 March 2019 23:03 IST Mauricio Pochettino's men threw away an early lead through
Football: Southampton stun fading Spurs, Newcastle edge five
That's right, the FA Cup is alive again. Resurrected by a VAR fracas, a flurry of wonderful goal-mouth scrambles and tap ins, a couple of Cupsets and some 90th-minute magic. All hail our
