BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Valencia ended Real Madrid’s 22-game winning streak by fighting back for a 2-1 victory today, but the blow was softened by Barcelona also stumbling to a 1-0 loss at Real Sociedad in the Spanish football league.
Cristiano Ronaldo extended his stunning tally to 26 league goals in the 14th minute at Mestalla Stadium when he stroked in a penalty kick following Alvaro Negredo’s handball.
Valencia, however, rallied through a goal by Antonio Barragan in the 52nd defender Nicolas Otamendi fended off Sergio Ramos to head home the 65th-minute winner.
“We have been training all week for this,” Otamendi said. “This was a key game to start 2015.”
Barcelona stepped onto the Anoeta pitch knowing a win would make them the provisional leaders, but coach Luis Enrique chose a starting 11 without Lionel Messi and Neymar.
Barcelona went behind when Jordi Alba scored an own goal two minutes in and not even the two stars coming on as second-half substitutes could spark the comeback.
Madrid have a game in hand and lead Barcelona and defending champion Atletico Madrid by one point.
Madrid had not lost or drawn a game in any competition since a 2-1 defeat to Atletico on September 13, setting a Spanish record for consecutive wins.
Carlo Ancelotti’s team must recover quickly for a second tough outing at Atletico on Wednesday in the Copa del Rey.
Valencia’s first win in six visits by Madrid lifted them into fourth place, the league’s last Champions League spot that the club has set as its goal for the season.
Rayo Vallecano also came from behind for a 2-1 victory at crosstown rival Getafe from goals by Jozabed Sanchez and Raul Baena.
Eibar, meanwhile, continued their impressive topflight debut by holding on to win 2-1 at Espanyol after goals by Manu del Moral and Eneko Boveda to move into eighth place.