Valencia vs. Real Madrid: Score and Reaction from 2017 La Liga Match

Real Madrid lost 2-1 to Valencia at the Mestalla Stadium on Wednesday, giving hope to rivals Barcelona and Sevilla in La Liga's title race.

Goals from Simone Zaza and Celta Vigo loanee Fabian Orellana proved enough for Los Che, who held on despite Cristiano Ronaldo getting a goal back for the league leaders just before the break.

It's a costly result for Los Blancos, who have now wasted one of their two games in hand over Barca and Sevilla. Real still lead the table, a point ahead of Barcelona, but have now played just one game less.

Real fielded a familiar lineup with Ronaldo the focal point up top, while James Rodriguez also joined the forward line. Meanwhile, Valencia included Barcelona loanee Munir El Haddadi in their starting XI, with both teams confirmed on the league's official Twitter account:

Los Blancos were left reeling when Valencia found the net twice in less than 10 minutes. Los Che played at pace, with speed, daring and guile from the off. It was no surprise when cerebral midfielder Orellana opened the scoring, since his technique and vision had left Real's midfield flustered.

Los Merengues went from being unnerved to positively shaken when Italian striker Zaza, on loan from Juventus, doubled the home side's lead. At this point, Valencia were in a familiar position against Real, yet one with perhaps ominous omens, according to Sky Sports Statto:

Los Che were coasting moments before the break, but Real are dangerous when wounded. Indeed, the league leaders were soon back in it a minute before the break, thanks to a very familiar source.

Ronaldo rose highest to head in Marcelo's accurate delivery. The Portuguese powerhouse knows no equal in the air this season, per Squawka Football:

Real's prolific No. 7 got the goal, but Ronaldo owed a lot to Marcelo, a left-back with a penchant for creating chances, according to OptaJose:

An early onslaught from Los Merengues seemed inevitable after the break. However, Los Che stood up to the pressure well. In particular, an improving defence was getting excellent performances from Ezequiel Garay and even former Manchester City flop Eliaquim Mangala.

Sensing the need to give his team a lift, Real boss Zinedine Zidane gave speedy forward Gareth Bale his return from injury. Wales international talisman Bale replaced misfiring Colombian playmaker James, and he soon posed a threat with his direct running.

Yet even with Bale on the pitch, it was Valencia who carried the greater menace. A still-lively Zaza caused havoc at the back when he pinched possession from Raphael Varane, only for Los Blancos goalkeeper Keylor Navas to frantically smother the ball.

ESPN's Dermot Corrigan noted how Varane was having a torrid time:

Valencia's pressure should have earned a penalty when Munir tangled with Sergio Ramos just inside the box. However, the referee surprisingly waved away the precocious forward's claims.

Back in the dugout, Zidane became increasingly desperate as his side struggled to find an equaliser. His next gambit was to swap out influential pass-master Luka Modric for winger Lucas Vazquez, as Real adopted a more direct approach.

Zidane's changes ultimately proved fruitless, though, as Valencia held on for a priceless three points. Defeat means Los Blancos have now left the door wide open for Barcelona and Sevilla in the title race.

Post-Match Reaction

Marcelo bemoaned Real's poor start and indicated it's a worrying trait the squad must fix, per ESPN's Dermot Corrigan:

Marcelo's manager seemed to echo his thoughts, choosing to chide only the weak beginning as the source of Los Merengues' problems on the night, per Corrigan:

Zidane also noted how his team lacked a touch of quality where it counted:

However, Valencia midfield playmaker Dani Parejo, one of the game's star performers, lauded his team's efforts and declared Los Che worthy winners:

Zidane may be trying to downplay the extent of Real's struggles, but he'll know how much impetus this result has given to the club's closest title rivals.