Valencia end Real winning streak

MADRID. — 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 on Sunday.

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.

“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. I am sure the fans will be proud of their players.

“You can see what we are working on and that we want to be a solid and bold team.”