Real Madrid all but concede title to Barcelona after comeback draw against Valencia

Real Madrid have all but conceded the Liga title to Barcelona despite staging a comeback from two goals down to claim a 2-2 draw against Valencia at the Bernabau.

With the Catalans claiming a comfortable 2-0 win over David Moyes’ Real Sociedad earlier in the day, Real Madrid needed a win against Champions League-chasing Valencia to stay in touch with the Liga leaders.

However, by claiming only a point Carlo Ancelotti’s side are now four points adrift of Barca with just two games of the league season left to play - assuming those games are actually played in light of the strike which will take effect next week.

Valencia took a shock lead against the run of play after 19 minutes through Paco Alcacer, who turned home Jose Luis Gaya’s cross from close range - despite the visitors coming under intense pressure in the opening exchanges.

And the away team doubled their advance just seven minutes later, when Javi Fuego ghosted in to make the most of slack Real Madrid defending from a freekick and head home past a helpless Iker Casillas.

But the hosts were afforded a lifeline before the break, when Gareth Bale was brought down in the box by Gaya - only for Ronaldo to have his penalty kick saved by the impressive Valencia goalkeeper Diego Alves.

However, Real Madrid did half the deficit in the second half, with Pepe climbing highest from a set piece to power a header past Alves and reenergise the home crowd, who had been whistling their discontent until that point.

Isco netted a stunning 25-yard equaliser with just six minutes remaining, giving Real Madrid a chance of completing the comeback - but Valencia held on for a point to all but hand Barcelona the title.

15’ WOODWORK: Off the crossbar! That would have been an incredible goal! Ronaldo allows Bale to take the freekick 20 yards out, and the Welsh winger smashes his strike off the woodwork. Alves was beaten!

20’ WOODWORK AGAIN: Real Madrid hit the crossbar again! Isco whips a wicked corner kick into the Valencia box, with Ronaldo rising highest to meet it. But his header smashes off the woodwork! So unlucky.

21’ GOAL! Real Madrid 0 Valencia 1: Against the run of play Valencia have taken the lead! Gaya's cross is turned home by Alcacer and the away team have the lead!

28’ GOAL! Real Madrid 0 Valencia 2: Incredible! Valencia have doubled their lead! Fuego drifts in to head home a freekick delivery.

34’ ALVES STOP: What an incredible save! Bale takes control of the ball 25 yards out and angles a ferocious strike towards goal, but Alves sticks out an arm to push the effort over the crossbar.

42’ MORE WOODWORK: And now Real Madrid hit the post! Hernandez plays a lovely give and go with Bale, but the Mexican striker scuffs his shot slightly and his effort flashes off the outside of the far post.

47’ PENALTY MISS: Alves makes the save from Ronaldo! Incredible end to the first half. The Real Madrid number seven hit his strike from 12 yards with power, but the Valencia keeper guessed the right way.

57’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1 Valencia 2: Real Madrid have a way back into the game! The centre-back heads home from an Isco corner kick. This is going to be some finish!

74’ ALVES AGAIN: What an incredible save from Alves! James' curling free-kick to the back post is met unchallenged by Ramos, but somehow the Brazilian keeper manages to claw it away from his net.

81’ NEGREDO CHANCE: There was the chance to secure the win for Valencia! De Paul didn't really well to cross into the box for Negredo, but the former Man City striker made a mess of his finish when he should have scored.

83’ NEGREDO HEADER: Another great chance for Negredo! The Real Madrid defence are nowhere to be seen as a freekick comes into the box, but the striker mistimes his jump and doesn't get off the ground.

84’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2 Valencia 2: Huge, huge goal for Real Madrid! Isco pulls the trigger from 25 yards and beats Alves from distance. We're in for a great finish!

Valencia became the first team to draw four straight visits to Real Madrid's home ground in La Liga history.

Diego Alves became the first keeper to stop two Cristiano Ronaldo penalties in his professional career (the other save was in 2009).

It says a lot about the pressure managers have to work under at the Santiago Bernabeu that even with Champions League success this season, Ancelotti is expected by large sections of the Spanish press to be on the way out of Real Madrid this summer. Club president Florentino Perez is said to have prioritised winning the league this season, so with that now very unlikely what does the future hold for the Italian? And who would replace him as Real Madrid manager?

If Barcelona have one man to thank for essentially delivering the 2014/15 Liga title, it is the Valencia goalkeeper. The records will show that Alves conceded twice, but Real Madrid would have been out of sight had it not been for the exerts of the Brazilian. His save from Ronaldo’s penalty kick was just the highlight of an astonishing performance.

Real Madrid - Casillas 5, Coentrao 5, Ramos 5, Pepe 6, Arbeloa 5, Isco 7, Kroos 6, James 6, Ronaldo 5, Bale 8, Hernandez 6. Subs - Illarramendi 6, Marcelo 6, Carvajal 6.

Valencia - Alves 9, Gaya 7, Otamendi 7, Mustafi 6, Barragan 6, Gomes 5, Fuego 7, Parejo 7, Piatti 7, Alcacer 8, Feghouli 6. Subs - Negredo 4, De Paul, Orban.