Real Madrid’s winning steak ended in shock La Liga loss

Real Madrid’s winning run has ended in stunning fashion with a 1-0 loss to relegation-threatened Espanyol in La Liga.

Defender Carlos Romero’s late goal beat the La Liga leader and moved Espanyol out of the bottom three.

Espanyol inched two points clear of the drop zone, while Madrid’s lead was cut to one point after Atletico Madrid beat Mallorca 2-0 earlier on Saturday.

Madrid, who found out on Friday that they will face Manchester City in the Champions League knockout playoff round, travelled to Espanyol with 10 victories in their last 11 matches in all competitions.

They dominated and Vinícius Júnior thought he gave the visitors the lead in the 21st minute but it was ruled out due to a foul by Kylian Mbappé on Espanyol midfielder Pol Lozano.

Madrid were made to pay for their missed opportunities five minutes from time when Romero volleyed in Omar El Hilali’s cross, much to the home fans’ raucous – and surprised – delight.

Atletico went into their match against seventh-placed Mallorca having lost both of their last two league matches and with only two wins in their last four games after a run of 15 consecutive victories.

They took the lead in the 26th minute when Giuliano Simeone sprinted down the right before rolling the ball across the edge of the area for Samuel Lino to fire into the bottom right corner.

Rodrigo Riquelme hit the crossbar with a free kick two minutes from time and provided the through ball for substitute Antoine Griezmann to run onto and delightfully chip the goalkeeper and seal the match in stoppages.

Fifth-placed Villarreal crushed bottom club Real Valladolid 5-1 and Getafe drew with Sevilla 0-0.