Zidane Suffers First Loss After Real Madrid Return

Real Madrid lost for the first time since Zinedine Zidane’s return, falling 2-1 at in-form Valencia in LaLiga.

Goncalo Guedes scored the opener at Mestalla on Wednesday, with Valencia moving within a point of the Champions League places after extending their unbeaten run to 17 games in all competitions.

Madrid, having needed a late Karim Benzema goal to beat bottom side Huesca last time out, underwhelmed again despite the return of star names including Ballon d’Or winner Luka Modric.

Ezequiel Garay superbly converted a corner from Daniel Parejo to double the lead, though Valencia missed out on a sixth straight clean sheet at home in the league due to Benzema’s 93rd-minute header.