MADRID: Vinícius Júnior missed a penalty and Real Madrid conceded an injury-time goal in a stunning 2-1 home loss to Valencia on Saturday as the defending champion stumbled in the La Liga title race.
Hugo Duro came off Valencia’s bench and headed home the winner that silenced Santiago Bernabeu Stadium deep in stoppage time.
Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili saved Vinícius’ early penalty and moments later Mouctar Diakhaby headed the visitors in front in the 17th minute.
Vinícius scored from close range to equalize in the 50th, but Mamardashvili and the defense held on until Duro struck and gave Valencia their first away win of the season.
Barcelona, leading Madrid by three points, could capitalize on their closest rival’s stumble when they host Real Betis later Saturday.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti had to play third-string goalkeeper Fran González, who made his first-team debut for Madrid at age 19, because Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin were injured.
Vinícius misses penalty as Real Madrid lose at home to Valencia
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Vinícius misses penalty as Real Madrid lose at home to Valencia
- Hugo Duro came off Valencia’s bench and headed home the winner
- Vinícius scored from close range to equalize in the 50th, but Mamardashvili
ILT20 season 4 set for blockbuster finish as playoffs begin
- The playoffs begin on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, where Desert Vipers will face MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 for a direct berth in the final
DUBAI: The International League T20’s fourth season has reached the playoff stage, with the final four confirmed after Abu Dhabi Knight Riders sealed the last spot with a 32-run win over Gulf Giants.
The playoffs begin on Tuesday in Abu Dhabi, where Desert Vipers will face MI Emirates in Qualifier 1 for a direct berth in the final.
The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will then take on defending champions Dubai Capitals in the Eliminator in Dubai on Thursday. The winner will advance to Qualifier 2 in Sharjah to meet the loser of Qualifier 1 to determine the second spot in the final, set for Jan. 4 at Dubai International Stadium.
The Vipers topped the league stage with eight wins, including a historic Super Over victory against Gulf Giants.
Key contributors include Max Holden (318 runs), Sam Curran (285 runs, seven wickets), and bowlers Khuzaima Tanveer (14 wickets) and David Payne (12 wickets).
MI Emirates, who secured second place with a late-season five-match winning streak, are evenly matched against the Vipers historically, with four wins apiece.
UAE star Muhammad Waseem (293 runs) has been a standout performer.
Reigning champions Capitals finished the league stage with five wins and five losses, led by bowlers Waqar Salamkheil (17 wickets) and Mustafizur Rahman (15 wickets), and batsmen Jordan Cox (311 runs) and Shayan Jahangir (302 runs).
The Knight Riders, making only their second playoff appearance, will face a Capitals side that has won eight of nine previous encounters between the two. Ajay Kumar (15 wickets) has been their top bowler this season.
The ILT20 carries a total prize pool of over $1 million, with $700,000 for the champions and $300,000 for the runners-up.
