Madrid: Real Madrid’s La Liga title hopes suffered a huge blow as they could only manage a 2-2 draw at home by Valencia.
However, despite a stunning back-heeled injury time equaliser on Monday from Cristiano Ronaldo to rescue a point, Real’s cross town rivals Atletico Madrid now just need four points from their last two games to win La Liga for the first time in 18 years.
“It makes things more difficult, but I have always said this league will be decided in the last game,” said Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.
“It has been a difficult weekend for the three in front and the title race is more open than ever.”
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.
