Valencia pounced on Real Madrid with two goals in the first eight minutes Wednesday, and held on to win 2-1, which was certainly the thing that everyone expected to happen in this match. Yup.
A brilliant goal from Simone Zaza was followed by a counterattack goal from Fabian Orellana. Cristiano Ronaldo pulled one back for Madrid just before halftime, but it was too little, too late.
This result means Barcelona remain one point behind Real Madrid in La Liga's standings, but Madrid still have a game in hand. Madrid will need to find the form they showed in the fall if they are to put Barcelona to bed in the league. This is Madrid's third loss in all competitions in 2017, which is one more than they lost in all of 2016.