Real Madrid vs. Valencia: Score, Grades, Reaction from La Liga

Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty as Real Madrid effectively gifted the La Liga title to Barcelona on Saturday after a 2-2 draw with Valencia at the Bernabeu.

Goals from Paco Alcacer and Javi Fuego gave the visitors a two-score advantage, while Real Madrid struck the woodwork on three occasions in the opening 45 minutes. Gareth Bale was felled inside the area during injury time in the first period, but Ronaldo could not capitalise on the penalty shot, as Diego Alves stopped his spot-kick.

Indeed, if Barcelona do lift the Liga trophy, they should also raise a glass to the Valencia goalkeeper, who produced a series of outstanding stops to thwart Real Madrid throughout.

Pepe pulled a goal back for the home side in the 57th minute as Madrid chased down the two-score deficit, and Isco equalised with a thunderous 84th-minute strike. However, Los Blancos couldn't conjure any additional late-game magic, and the result left them four points behind Barcelona with just two matches remaining.

As Bleacher Report's Liga expert Guillem Balague noted, the possibility of strike action in the ongoing row over television money could see the title decided this week.

There was further bad news for Real Madrid, too, as midfielder Toni Kroos suffered an apparent hamstring injury ahead of the Champions League semi-final second leg against Juventus on Wednesday. However, the Bernabeu medical team played down the issue following the game:

Javier Hernandez started the game for Real Madrid in place of the injured Karim Benzema, while Sergio Ramos was back in defence for the home side.

Los Blancos nearly suffered a self-inflicted wound in the 10th minute, when they appeared to stop as Pepe fell to ground in a challenge. Alcacer chased on to the ball but fired wide, which was in Madrid's favour as the referee had waved play on.

Nicolas Otamendi brought down Bale on the right-hand edge of the area in the 14th minute, but the Wales international then saw his free-kick strike the crossbar. Five minutes later, Ronaldo struck the woodwork with a fierce header, and then Valencia stunned their hosts.

Jose Gaya broke down the left flank before crossing into the six-yard area. Alcacer got in behind Pepe to poke the ball past Iker Casillas, although the Real Madrid goalkeeper arguably could have done better with his stop.

Real Madrid were forced into an early change when Kroos left the field through injury to be replaced by Asier Illarramendi, but further misfortune followed in the seconds after the switch.

Dani Parejo lofted a free-kick from the left into the area, and Pepe played Fuego onside, allowing the Valencia man to flick a header backward beyond Casillas.

It looked bleak for the home side, but Bale afforded them some hope with a stunning strike from distance that required a brilliant stop from Alves.

Hernandez then played a one-two with Bale in the 40th minute as Real Madrid chased a goal to claw their way back into the game, but the Manchester United loanee struck the post with his effort.

In the first minute of injury time in the opening half, Bale earned a penalty and a way back into the game from the penalty spot.

Gaya shoved over the former Tottenham man inside the area, and Ronaldo stepped up for the penalty. However, Alves guessed correctly and dived low to his right to deny the Portugal international.

Carlo Ancelotti needed a change of fortunes in the second half and brought on Dani Carvajal and Marcelo to stiffen his defence in place of Alvaro Arbeloa and Fabio Coentrao.

After Bale and James Rodriguez had both gone close, Real Madrid pulled a goal back in the 57th minute when Pepe powered a header beyond Alves from a James corner.

The goal followed an incessant onslaught on the Valencia goal by the home side, with the visitors unable to put a foot on the ball to steady the game. Ronaldo then sent a curling free-kick just wide of Alves' left-hand post with 20 minutes remaining.

Alves produced an outstanding stop in the 73rd minute, when Ramos rose to meet a James free-kick before heading powerfully downward. However, the Valencia goalkeeper blocked the close-range effort on the line. 

Valencia substitute Alvaro Negredo, who had replaced Alcacer, almost made it 3-1 when he glanced a header just wide of Casillas' goal with eight minutes left.

Hernandez attempted a spectacular overhead kick from just inside the Valencia penalty box, but Alves was behind the ball.

Then with six minutes remaining, the Bernabeu rose as one as Isco produced a thunderbolt from the outside of the area to equalise.

"

Ronaldo's missed penalty. https://t.co/MaBfIfwesj

— FSeeBarcelona (@FSeeBarcelona) May 9, 2015"

When the fourth official revealed five minutes of injury time were to be played, the home crowd were lifted at the possibility of a late, late winner.

But it was not to be, as Real Madrid's self-inflicted wounds in the opening 45 minutes ultimately proved fatal.

Selected Player Ratings

Pepe: B+

It wasn't a great day for the Real Madrid defender, whose leadership was lacking at the back when the home side needed it. He lost Alcacer for the first goal before playing Fuego onside for the second. Pepe did atone a little for that with his 57th-minute goal, though.

Diego Alves: A+

The Valencia goalkeeper will be the toast of Barcelona after producing a string of fantastic saves, including from Ronaldo's penalty, to thwart Real Madrid throughout the game.

Gareth Bale: A

The Real Madrid forward enjoyed an improved display after his poor midweek performance against Juventus. He struck the woodwork with a free-kick before seeing Alves make a tremendous stop in the first half.

Post-Match Reaction