Valencia halt Real winning streak

Sevilla get first victory of season

MADRID, Aug 28, (AFP): Real Madrid needed a late strike from Marco Asensio to prevent a shock defeat but still saw their relentless winning streak ended by Valencia in a thrilling 2-2 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Asensio had got the hosts off to the perfect start after just 10 minutes, but Carlos Soler rounded off an excellent Valencia team move to level shortly after.

Valencia stunned the Bernabeu when Geoffrey Kondogbia, who joined the club this week on a season-long loan from Inter Milan, swept home Rodrigo’s cross from the edge of the area.

However, like on so many occasions last season, Madrid had a late reply as Asensio curled home a free-kick seven minutes from time.

A draw ends Real’s eight-game winning run stretching back to May and sees the European champions fall two points behind rivals Barcelona after just two games of the La Liga season.

Real Madrid’s Casemiro (top), jumps to kick a big ball during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu

Stadium in Madrid on Aug 27. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. (AP)

“I can’t be happy with the result, but the performance was excellent and we deserved more today,” said Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane.

“That’s football, you can’t always win.

“We’ve lost two points, but I am very proud of my players.

Valencia have endured two dreadful years, finishing 12th for the past two seasons, but there were further encouraging signs of a revival under new coach Marcelino Garcia Toral after their opening day win over Las Palmas.

“It was a great spectacle,” said Marcelino.

“A draw was a fair result, although either side could have won. Montreal Impact’s Blerim Dzemaili (left), challenges Toronto FC’s Eriq Zavaleta (15) during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal on Aug

27. (AP)