Barcelona waste chance to take control of La Liga race: Real Madrid lose to Valencia, but damage limited

Real Madrid conceded deep in stoppage time to lose at home in a shocker against relegation-battling Valencia

Real Madrid's tightrope in La Liga may have just snapped after Valencia secured a 95th-minute winner via Hugo Duro for a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu, their first in 17 years. While one eye may have been on facing Arsenal in the Champions League, injuries wouldn't allow Carlo Ancelotti the ability to rotate much and they entered with only three points separating them from Barcelona in first in La Liga. In net, 19-year-old Fran Gonzalez debuted between the sticks, with both of the keepers in front of him on the depth chart injured, speaking volumes about where Real Madrid's depth is at this critical stage of the season. 

Barcelona were able to respond to Real Madrid dropping points with a draw against Real Betis, but despite it putting Hansi Flick's men four points clear atop the league, it feels like an opportunity missed. When Gavi put Barcelona ahead only seven minutes into the game, it seemed like it would be smooth sailing before Betis struck to level things only 10 minutes later via Natan. With a date with Borussia Dortmund on the horizon in the Champions League, it's still a point for Barcelona, but they can't afford to slip up as the El Clasico in May could make or break this race.