Valencia Early Show Stuns Real Madrid
Two goals in the opening eight minutes from Simone Zaza and Fabian Orellana blew the La Liga title race wide open as Valencia beat leaders Real Madrid 2-1 on Wednesday.
Italian striker Zaza had broken down in tears after scoring his first goal since May at the weekend, but showed his confidence is suddenly sky high with a brilliant volleyed finish to open the scoring.
Orellana then finished off a flowing counter-attack, but Cristiano Ronaldo halved Madrid’s arrears with a towering header from Marcelo’s cross a minute before half-time.
Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane introduced Gareth Bale off the bench on just his second appearance after a three-month injury layoff for the final half hour.
And the Welshman nearly rescued a point when his header from point-blank range was blocked by Enzo Perez a minute from time.
Defeat leaves Madrid still just a point clear of Barcelona at the top of the table and now with just one game in hand over their title rivals.
