Real Madrid fell to a disappointing 2-1 loss at the Mestalla Stadium against 14th placed Valencia to suffer another blow to their title challenge. The result leaves Zidane’s men just one point ahead of second-placed Barcelona, although Los Blancos do have a game in hand.
Zidane’s team never looked like they really got going and Valencia capitalised on their poor performance with two goals in the opening ten minutes. Madrid picked up a consolation goal through Ronaldo a minute before half time but the visitors never looked like they were capable of winning the game.
Simone Zaza has come in for a lot of stick this season after his strange penalty run-up in the Euro 2016 tournament and his subsequent performances for West Ham, so Twitter erupted when the Italian smashed Valencia ahead with a stunning volley on the turn, with some even praising the Italian.
Really miss simone zaza
What an excellent goal against real madrid ??pic.twitter.com/bC6xg71NGM— Juventus News (@paulpogbom) February 22, 2017
Remember Simone Zaza West Ham fans?
He has just helped down Real Madrid.
More: https://t.co/sKwMQFlydq pic.twitter.com/YHIn0vGHlT
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) February 22, 2017
Simone Zaza couldn’t score in 90 mins against Accrington Stanley but scored 4 mins into a game vs Real Madrid. Football doesn’t make sense
— Cartlon Cole (@_CarltonCole9) February 22, 2017
Simone Zaza:
– 572 minutes for West Ham: 0 goals.
– 4 minutes for Valencia vs Real Madrid: 1 goal.
You couldn’t write it ? pic.twitter.com/1veCB93G33
— SPORF (@Sporf) February 22, 2017
Zaza has just done this. Yes the real Simone Zaza https://t.co/k4sO4yez9T
— West Ham Transfers (@westhamtransfer) February 22, 2017
Simone Zaza has now scored in back-to-back games, having not scored in his other 15 matches for Valencia & West Ham this season pic.twitter.com/TooFjHO1rD
— Sky Sports Statto (@SkySportsStatto) February 22, 2017
West Ham fans can’t believe Simone Zaza scored a stunner against Real Madrid https://t.co/dSNJhWdAm3 pic.twitter.com/ahHowId2dE
— Mirror Row Zed (@MirrorRowZed) February 22, 2017
Wow Zaza. Where was this for West Ham?? ?? pic.twitter.com/bzwkEOn3Sv
— TapIn (@Tap_infootball) February 22, 2017
@BallerRamos also since when was Zaza zlatan ? Man couldn’t score a goal for west ham in half a season.
— ??Ibra ?? (@BallerRamos) February 23, 2017
When #WestHam fans found out Zaza has scored a spectacular against #RealMadrid#ValenciaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/0SrQjFkMWT
— ⚫Pinturicchio⚪ (@JPinturicchio) February 23, 2017
Zaza at West Ham 0 goals. 4 mins for Valencia 1 goal.
Nzonzi Blackburn reject to La Liga Player Of Month
They say La Liga is a good league pic.twitter.com/fTwX1CySYu
— RougeDevil7 (@RougeDevil7) February 22, 2017
Fabian Orellana then put the hosts ahead just four minutes later and Twitter was abuzz once more. Many also faulted Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas after Orellana’s shot went between his legs.
Fabian Orellana Goal – Valencia vs Real Madrid 2-0 #الدوري_الاوروبي pic.twitter.com/qQ2joBIXfl
— Sakr™ (@KingSa2r) February 22, 2017
Orellana first player to score a goal versus same opponent [Madrid] for two teams [Celta & Valencia] in same Liga [via @laligaennumeros ]
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) February 22, 2017
Fabián Orellana scored the deciding goal in Valencia’s win over Real Madrid today. Here’s to hoping he does that at some point for Chile. pic.twitter.com/u5LXAxcHAF
— Zach Drapkin (@ZachDrapkin) February 22, 2017
Keylor Navas’ last season at Madrid
— Rk (@RahatRMCF) February 22, 2017
Keylor Navas thanks for giving us a few plastic Costa Rican fans but it’s time to say goodbye
— Rez (@Asensiazo) February 22, 2017
Keylor Navas has got to go
— Zeus (@KeylorinhoZ) February 22, 2017
Big questions once again over Keylor Navas should have stopped Fabian Orellana’s goal ball slipped underneath his body .
— Josh Bunting (@Distillerymad) February 22, 2017
Raphael Varane was also heavily criticised after a poor performance for Real Madrid, and his terrible high-footed challenge came in for some stick as well.
Me watching Varane: pic.twitter.com/H2DmmZ24ll
— Zeina (@Madridise) February 22, 2017
varane when running ??@raphaelvarane #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/hjwSNCTe1r
— RM4Ever (@RM4Ever1902) February 23, 2017
Give it up to Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane for finding time to work on getting his black belt during the season ? #Ouch pic.twitter.com/uq8rGRx6Dn
— Planet Fútbol (@si_soccer) February 22, 2017
BREAKING: VARANE RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL TO BECOME A KICK BOXER pic.twitter.com/p4vbjXUju9
— Ben (@CaIvinCIyne) February 22, 2017
Varane is still on???? lol pic.twitter.com/02q31ufa4G
— halamadrid (@rockyfenty) February 22, 2017
LMAO Varane lost 4 balls in 20 minutes and yet he starts over Pepe and Nacho because he’s fucking French!
— Omar ? (@OMAR_CR7_) February 22, 2017
Nacho > Varane, and it’s debatable at this point.
— Fenomenista (@Fenomenista) February 22, 2017
