Real Madrid travelled to Valencia in La Liga on Sunday looking to make it 23 consecutive wins in all competitions.
The visitors led 1-0 at the interval courtesy of a penalty from Cristiano Ronaldo, after Alvaro Negredo had handled in the box.
Valencia levelled early in the second period, however, when Antonio Barragan's strike deflected off Pepe into the bottom corner, before Nicolas Otamendi sent the home side 2-1 ahead after 65 minutes.
Read how Madrid's famous streak came to an end with Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Afternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Mestalla and it is a real cracker as Valencia welcome Real Madrid. What will 2015 bring for both of these sides? Right, before anything else, let me bring you up-so-speed with the all-important team news.
TEAMS
VALENCIA: Alves; Mustafi, Otamendi, Orban; Barragan, Parejo, Perez, Gomes, Piatti; Alcacer, Negredo
REAL: Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Isco, Kroos, James; Ronaldo, Benzema, Bale
So there we have it. Valencia will seemingly line up in a 3-5-2 formation this afternoon. The big team news from Los Che is that Victor Perez makes his debut following a move from Benfica. There are also starts for Andre Gomes and Dani Parejo, while Paco Alcacer and Alvaro Negredo start in attack.
For Real Madrid, Sergio Ramos has been declared fit, with the centre-back starting alongside Pepe in defence. Luka Modric is still unavailable, leaving Isco, Toni Kroos and James Rodriguez in midfield. The front three is as expected, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale all in the XI.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Real Madrid have won three of the last five matches, with the further two ending in draws. Last season, Real Madrid were 3-2 winners in this stadium, but Valencia did secure a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu towards the end of the campaign.
Valencia entered the winter break in fourth position, but have since dropped to fifth following Sevilla's win on Saturday. Los Che have collected 31 points from their 16 league games – winning nine times, drawing four and losing just three. It has been a very positive start to the campaign.
As expected, Valencia's home form has been strong. They have won six of their eight matches in this stadium – losing just once in the process. They have also netted an impressive 18 goals at home and conceded just four. There is no question that the Mestalla has become a fortress once again.
Real Madrid, however, can seemingly do no wrong at the moment. Los Blancos have only played 15 league games due to their involvement in the Club World Cup – which they won in December – but they are still top of the table on 39 points. They lost a friendly to AC Milan during the week, but have won their last 22 games in all competitions. Will that incredible run continue at the Mestalla here?
Incredibly, Real Madrid have scored 31 times in their eight away games this season, which is more than Atletico Madrid and Barcelona put together. During that run they have won seven times, with their only defeat coming at Real Sociedad in just their second league game of the campaign.
PREDICTION! I just have a sneaky feeling that Real Madrid's 22-game winning run will come to an end here. Valencia look really strong this afternoon and have been excellent on their own patch this season. I am expecting a very tight match at the Mestalla. My score prediction is 1-1 in Valencia.
Here we go then. This has all the makings of a really special match - let's hope that matters on the field live up to the pre-match build-up. It is the home side that get the first period underway.
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this afternoon, which is not a surprise. Not too much to report in terms of attacking play in the opening couple of minutes - with both teams just attempting to find their tempo. It should be a brilliant 90 minutes.
Valencia goalkeeper Alves has been put under pressure with a couple of back-passes in the early moments, but the Brazilian has been able to clear thus far. The home side have a half-chance as Piatti delivers a cross towards Negredo, but Ramos is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Good work.
Valencia are on the front foot in the early moments that is for certain.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last few moments following a couple of late challenges, but there has not been a card issued thus far. Real Madrid have just started to see more possession in the final third, but Valencia have been quick to close the space.
Valencia have been quick to press in the opening eight minutes, with the away side not allowed time and space on the ball. The home side remain a threat in the final third as Piatti delivers a low pass into Negredo, but Ramos is on hand to clear. Still no real opportunities for either side thus far.
Half-chance for Bale as the Welshman finds some space inside the box before firing one towards goal, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Just a few signs that Real are settling.
Perez has been bright in the early moments on his Valencia debut, with the midfielder attempting to thread a couple of through balls, but he has been unsuccessful thus far. Still not too much to report in terms of chances created, which is not much of a surprise. It has been very tight thus far.
Handbags between both sets of players as Orban chops Bale to the ground!
No cards are issued, but that the first flash point between the two sides.
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
Real Madrid are awarded a penalty as Negredo is adjudged to have handled inside the box.
GOAL! Valencia 0-1 Real Madrid (Ronaldo, pen)
Never in doubt! Ronaldo strokes his penalty into the bottom corner for his 26th league goal of the season. Real Madrid are on their way here. Can Valencia respond against such a strong team?
BOOKING! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for handball.
It has been a decent response from the home side, with Barragan and Piatti both delivering high balls into the box, but Real Madrid are able to resist the pressure. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital. Valencia really cannot afford to concede a second.
In fairness to the home supporters, they are still very much with their team despite the Real Madrid goal. Ronaldo leads the fight for the away side once again, but the attacker is forced into a wide area and the danger is cleared. Valencia, meanwhile, continue to huff and puff in the final third.
Real Madrid have a free kick in a dangerous position as Barragan brings Isco to the ground...
... the resulting free kick is taken by Ronaldo, but his low effort is straight at Alves.
The referee just needs to take control of the match as the feistiness between the two teams continues. It is a surprise that there has only been one yellow card in the opening 23 minutes.
SUB! Early change for Valencia as Gaya replaces Piatti.
BOOKING! Gaya (Valencia) has incredibly been booked for entering the field without permission from the referee. Well, that was very strange indeed. It cost cost the home side!
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments, with the tempo of the match harmed by the number of challenges that are occurring. Real Madrid have taken control of the midfield in the last 10 minutes or so, while Ronaldo is looking increasingly dangerous in the final third.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for Ronaldo to score his second as the attacker collects a pass from Bale before rounding the goalkeeper, but the Portuguese hits the side netting. What a chance!
Valencia are just finding it difficult to influence the match at the moment as the away side continue to dominate the ball in the middle of the park. The referee remains heavily involved, meanwhile, due to the number of late challenges. There is a real feistiness to this match at the moment.
BOOKING! Perez (Valencia) talks himself into the referee's book.
Real Madrid threaten with another deep set piece, but Orban manages to clear behind for a corner. The resulting corner is delivered by James, but again the danger is cleared. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Los Blancos still lead 1-0 here courtesy of that Ronaldo penalty.
Negredo tries his luck for the home side after finding space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Valencia need more than their Spanish striker here.
BOOKING! Mustafi (Valencia) now goes into the book for a rash tackle on Ronaldo.
Ronaldo delivers the resulting free kick towards the near post, but Negredo is on hand to clear for another corner. The pressure is rising in the latter stages of the half, but Valencia manage to clear once again. The home side are not doing too much wrong, they are just up against a special, special team.
The untidiness continues as Negredo is taken out by Ramos. All the Valencia players have surrounded the referee and they want a card for Ramos, who is also down injured at the moment.
Every time a challenge is made there are players surrounding the referee, who needs to exert some more control. Little over five minutes of the half remaining and still Real Madrid lead 1-0.
Alcacer has the chance to threaten from a free kick, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar and Real Madrid have regained possession. Moments later, Isco dives into a late challenge with Gaya.
BOOKING! Isco (Real Madrid) picks up a booking for that late challenge.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Barragan finds some space inside the Real Madrid box, but the wing-back just takes too long and Pepe is on hand to make a fine block.
BOOKING! Alcacer (Valencia) is now booked for a late lunge on Pepe.
One word to describe this half would be untidy. Too many poor challenges from both sides.
BOOKING! Half-chance for the home side as Negredo releases Alcacer, who attempts to turn a low cross back to his strike partner, but Casillas is on hand to claim. Casillas attempts to release the ball quickly, but is stopped by Parejo, who is the latest player to enter the book.
Gomes strikes one from outside the box, but Casillas is on hand to collect with ease.
CHANCE! Opportunity for Real Madrid to score their second at the end of the half, but Benzema's low effort is straight into the arms of the goalkeeper. Valencia survive, for now.
POST! Gomes has a shot from the edge of the box deflected onto the foot of the post. Negredo was first to react inside the box, but Casillas managed to claim. Some end to the half!
HALF-TIME: Valencia 0-1 Real Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading 1-0 courtesy of a penalty from Ronaldo. Both sides had chances to add to the scoring late in the half, but it was a first 45 minutes dominated by yellow cards and poor challenges. It has been untidy for long spells.
STATS! Real Madrid have shaded the possession with 55%, while they have had eight attempts - three of which have been on target. Valencia, meanwhile, have hit the target just once in their six attempts. As mentioned, it has been a feisty half, with seven cards already issued here.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have already been forced to make one change, with Gaya replacing Piatti early on. However, Los Che still have options in the shape of Rodrigo, De Paul and Feghouli. Real Madrid, meanwhile, have the likes of Herrnandez, Jese and Khedira in reserve.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Let's hope for more chances and less involvement from the referee! The visitors get the second half underway.
No changes from either side at the interval, which is not too much of a surprise at this stage. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-0 for the next 20 mins or so.
CHANCE! Oh my word how are Valencia not level! Gomes meets a half-volley just outside the Real Madrid box, but his brilliant effort just drops wide of the post. So, so close!
You just get the feeling that Valencia need to score during this positive spell early in the second period. Another goal for Real Madrid would almost kill the tie, even at this stage of the match.
Valencia continue to look the most dangerous as Negredo drives down the right before delivering a cross towards Gaya, but the left-back just cannot make contact. Real Madrid attempt to break moments later, but Otamendi comes across to challenge Benzema. No yellow cards in this half yet!
GOAL! Valencia 1-1 Real Madrid (Pepe OG)
Valencia level the scores with 52 minutes on the clock as Barragan's low strike hits Pepe before deflecting into the back of the net. That will surely go down as a Pepe OG! We are all level here!
It is no more than Valencia deserve - they have been the better side since the break.
Half-chance for the away side as Ramos meets a corner from James, but his header was always moving high of the crossbar. Sensational noise inside the stadium at the moment with 56 minutes played.
Valencia goalkeeper Alves seems to have a problem here following a challenge with Bale. The Welshman did not seem to do much wrong, but was penalised for jumping with the Brazilian. It has been a strong response from Real Madrid to conceding that equaliser after 52 minutes. All level here.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as Bale races clear of the Valencia defence, but instead of crossing to Benzema, the Welshman goes alone and Alves makes the save.
BOOKING! Orban (Valencia) is booked for a lunge on Isco.
Little under 30 minutes of normal time remaining and the points are still very much up for grabs. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could turn be the winner.
Ronaldo strikes one from outside the box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Alves.
BOOKING! Carvajal (Real Madrid) is booked for a lunge on Gaya.
GOAL! Valencia 2-1 Real Madrid (Otamendi)
Valencia take the lead with 65 minutes on the clock as Otamendi thumps a powerful header into the back of the net after meeting a corner from Parejo. Well, Real Madrid are in big trouble here!
CHANCE! Stunning chance for Valencia to score their third as Barragan races into the Real Madrid box before attempting to slide one into the bottom corner, but his effort is wide of the post.
Half-chance for Real Madrid this time as Isco meets a cross from Carvajal, but his effort was straight into the arms of Alves. Real Madrid are seemingly preparing to make two changes here.
SUBS! Double change for Real as Khedira and Jese replace Bale and James.
Little over 15 minutes of football remaining and Real Madrid are in danger of losing their third league match of the season and their first game in 23 fixtures. Valencia are preparing a change...
... SUB! Feghouli replaces Barragan for Valencia.
Just a reminder that three points for Valencia would move them into fourth spot in the table. However, Real Madrid are still well in this match with time remaining. Kroos delivers a dangerous free kick towards Pepe, but Alves just does enough to clear under pressure from the Portuguese defender.
Alcacer and Negredo are both on the deck for Valencia at the moment. Time is wasting away...
CHANCE! Ramos has a free header for Real Madrid after meeting an excellent cross from Kroos, but somehow his effort drops wide of the post. Another wonderful opportunity here.
SUBS! Real Madrid make their third change of the match as Hernandez replaces Benzema, while Rodrigo replaces Negredo for the home side. Little over 10 minutes to play.
Ronaldo strikes one from outside the box, but again his effort is straight at the goalkeeper.
All the pressure is coming from Real Madrid at the moment as Hernandez turns down the left before rolling a low cross into the box, but Otamendi is on hand to clear. Valencia launch a counter moments later through Gaya, but his low cross is thumped clear by Ramos. It remains 2-1 to the home side.
OFF THE LINE! Stunning chance for Isco to level as the Spaniard meets a cross from the right, but Alves makes the save before Otamendi clears off the line. Valencia somehow survive!
Valencia just cannot seem to get out of their own half at the moment as the pressure continues in the final third. The crowd are in fine voice and they can sense that their side are almost, almost there.
All hands to the pump as Real Madrid force their 10th corner, but Ronaldo heads wide once again. It would not have counted, however, with the Portuguese climbing on the back of Feghouli.
Pepe tries his luck for Real Madrid after finding some space outside the box, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. We will play three additional minutes here.
Is there to be one final chance here? Real Madrid break forward with Ronaldo, but the attacker is challenged by Perez down the left. Valencia have more work to do here.
Marcelo fouls Parejo and that could be just about that as Valencia have a free kick.
CHANCE! Marcelo comes close to levelling at the death, but his low strike is deflected wide of the post by Otamendi. Wow!
FULL-TIME: Valencia 2-1 Real Madrid
Incredible game of football at the Mestalla! Real Madrid's 22-match winning run is over following a 2-1 defeat at Valencia, who have moved into fourth position. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
