If there’s one thing football constantly reminds us—it’s that nothing is ever guaranteed. On a chilly night in Madrid, what looked like a routine LaLiga fixture has turned into a shocker. Real Madrid, roaring with confidence after their Copa del Rey triumph, have been rocked early by Valencia, who lead 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The stadium was buzzing at kickoff. Madridistas were hopeful, even expectant. After all, Barcelona are just three points ahead, and the league is very much within reach. But Mouctar Diakhaby had other plans. A scrappy goal, a stunned silence—and just like that, Valencia were ahead.

The real heartbreak? Vinicius Jr. had the perfect chance to equalize. A penalty. The crowd rose, phones out, hearts racing. And then—missed. You could feel the air sucked out of the stadium. Vinicius stood there, head down, disbelief on his face. It wasn’t just a missed chance; it felt like a punch to Madrid’s rhythm.

Credit to Valencia—they’ve looked sharp, organized, and confident. Under Carlos Corberan, they’re no longer pushovers. They’re fighters. Tonight, they’ve come to Madrid with belief.

Real Madrid vs Valencia#RealMadridValencia #LaZabawa pic.twitter.com/hCpOrCkS9J

— Bizonek (@Bizonek333) April 5, 2025

As for Carlo Ancelotti, he now has a decision to make. With a huge Champions League clash against Arsenal just around the corner, does he risk it all to claw back this match? Or hold back and focus on Europe?

There’s still time. Madrid are pressing, probing, pushing. But the fans are restless. The clock is ticking. And sometimes, football writes scripts no one expects.

This isn’t just a game—it’s a test of character. And Madrid now have to show what they’re made of.