Real Madrid's 22-game winning streak was ended by an inspired Valencia in one of the most thrilling games of the season so far, despite Cristiano Ronaldo putting his side into the lead from the spot. Antonio Barragan got Los Che back on level terms before another defender, Nicolas Otamendi headed his side in front to stun Carlo Ancelotti's side. It handed Barcelona the chance to get back in the La Liga driving seat, but they spurned it against David Moyes' Real Sociedad and it means Madrid are top of the table by a point, with an extra game still to make up. VIDEO Scroll down to see Sportsmail's Big Match Stats as Valencia end Real Madrid's winning streak . Valencia keeper Diego Alves celebrates after helping earn a thrilling 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Mestalla . Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after opening the scoring for Real Madrid with a first-half penalty . Gareth Bale (left) heads back to the centre circle as Real Madrid see their 22-game winning streak come to an end . Valencia: Diego Alves; Barragan (Feghouli 73), Otamendi, Mustafi, Orban; Parejo, Enzo Perez, Andre Gomes; Piatti (Gaya 23), Negredo (Rodrigo 80), Alcacer. Subs not used: Vezo, Rodriguez, De Paul, Gil. Booked: Mustafi, Orban, Parejo, Perez, Gaya, Alcacer. Goals: Barragan 52, Otamendi 65. Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Isco, Kroos, James (Khedira 71); Bale (Jese 71), Benzema (Hernandez 80), Ronaldo. Subs not used: Navas, Varane, Arbeloa, Illarramendi. Booked: Ramos, Carvajal, Isco. Goal: Ronaldo pen 14. Ref: Jesus Gil Manzano. Attendance: 50,738. Valencia played with amazing intensity, continuing their revival this season under Nuno Espirito Santo and showed they are good value to get back into the Champions League. This was the scene of one of Gareth Bale's greatest triumphs, the ground where he scored that brilliant solo goal against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, but along with Karim Benzema he was substituted as Madrid desperately searched for an equaliser. January is usually a gruelling month in Spain because that tournament begins for La Liga sides, and this year is no different. Real face local rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night in the cup, but Ancelotti picked his strongest available side. The last time these teams met, it took a quite brilliant Ronaldo strike to earn Real Madrid a point, the Portugal star's acrobatic backheel one of the goals of the season. Luka Modric was missing that day and injury again prevented the Croatian from playing—he is expected back in February—while Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, both injury doubts, started. There is a good feeling around Valencia this season, especially now Peter Lim is in control of the club's affairs. New €25million signing Enzo Perez was incorporated into the midfield straight away, replacing the suspended Javi Fuego. Seven thousand Valencia fans were there to greet the team bus when it arrived, and created a huge tifo reading 'Yes we can', while Lim himself visited the dressing room. The supporters weren't particularly keen on their team giving Real Madrid a guard of honour at the start of the game, to recognise their Club World Cup success, and made their feelings known. The only time Valencia have fallen at home this season was against Barcelona and even that was a barely deserved, last-minute win thanks to Sergio Busquets ramming home after a scramble in the box. Going to the Mestalla is no easy task, and Valencia made sure of it from the off, with a string of challenges that toed a fine line between hard-but-fair and brutal. Nuno's side accumulated an astonishing five bookings in the first half, including one for new boy Perez. Valencia players clap on their Real Madrid counterparts to congratulate them for their Club World Cup victory . Real Madrid record signing Bale (left) is tackled by Valencia's Lucas Orban to concede a first-half free kick . Valencia players argue with the referee after a penalty is awarded to Real Madrid for a hand ball by Alvaro Negredo . Valencia's goalkeeper Diego Alves speaks to Ronaldo before the Portuguese superstar takes his penalty . Ronaldo paid no attention to the keeper's attempts to put him off and struck his penalty cleanly . Ronaldo is congratulated by Marcelo (left) and Sergio Ramos (centre) after stroking home his penalty . France international Karim Benzema reacts after missing a first half opportunity to double Real Madrid's lead . Real Madrid talisman Ronaldo evades a tackle from Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi during the game at the Metsalla . Valencia manager Nuno Espirito Santo signals to players from the sidelines as his team chase the game in the second half . Ronaldo holds his hands to his lips after coming close to scoring his second goal of the evening . Valencia's strong starts have been notable this season, particularly when they raced into a 3-0 lead over Champions Atletico Madrid, whom they trail by a point after this game. But despite coming out all guns blazing, it was Madrid that took the lead. Alvaro Negredo handled the ball in the box after a Toni Kroos free kick had not been dealt with, and Ronaldo sent penalty expert Diego Alves the wrong way from the spot. Historically Los Che have a strong record against Real Madrid, having beaten them 42 times, more than any other side in Spanish football history. Recent years have proved more disappointing though, with the club unable to attain victory in any of the previous 10 clashes with Los Blancos. Against Barcelona, Valencia had not been able to maintain their intensity, but here they did, coming out in the second half swinging, and they got their reward. Barragan, the right-back who is out of contract in the summer, was having a marvellous game and on one of his runs forward earned some space for a shot, just outside the box. His strike deflected off Pepe and past the helpless Casillas, setting the stadium alight. And then, the unthinkable. Daniel Parejo swung the ball in from a corner kick and Nicolas Otamendi rose highest, thanks to a superhuman, hanging leap, and planted the ball far beyond Casillas to send the Valencia supporters wild. The rampaging Barragan had another chance shortly after Valencia took the lead but fired inches wide of Casillas' far post after some stunning build-up play and Andre Gomes' through-ball. Madrid hooked Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez, with Sami Khedira, Jese and Javier Hernandez thrown on in their places. They came extremely close through Isco but goalkeeper Diego Alves made an outstanding save from his header, before goalscorer Otamendi acrobatically smashed the ball off the line to prevent Ronaldo following up. He had another chance towards the end but span a header wide of the near post when he should have hit the target. The front cover of Barcelona-based newspaper Sport had read 'Liga caliente', signifying that the title race was hotting up. It was more in hope than expectation, but Valencia at a riotous Mestalla, came through. Valencia's defender Barragan (centre) celebrates after bringing the home side level in the second half . Barragan drops to his knees to celebrate bringing Valencia back on level terms with a deflected strike . Bale (right) watches as Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi gives the hosts a leader with a header from a corner . Otamendi (left ) celebrates in front of jubilant Valencia fans after giving Valencia a 2-1 lead . Manchester City loanee Alvaro Negredo (left) competes for the ball with Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos . Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo walks off at the end of the game as his side's winning run is ended .
Real Madrid saw their 22-game winning streak come to an end with a 2-1 defeat by Valencia .
Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a handball by Alvaro Negredo .
Valencia defender Antonio Barragan Fernandez equalised with a deflected shot after the interval .
Nicolas Otamendi scored the winner for the home side with a bullet header from Daniel Parejo's corner .
Barcelona later missed the chance to go top of La LIga after being beaten 1-0 by David Moyes' Real Sociedad .
Real Madrid's 22-game winning streak was ended by an inspired Valencia in one of the most thrilling games of the season so far, despite Cristiano Ronaldo putting his side into the lead from the spot. Antonio Barragan got Los Che back on level terms before another defender, Nicolas Otamendi headed his side in front to stun Carlo Ancelotti's side. It handed Barcelona the chance to get back in the La Liga driving seat, but they spurned it against David Moyes' Real Sociedad and it means Madrid are top of the table by a point, with an extra game still to make up. VIDEO Scroll down to see Sportsmail's Big Match Stats as Valencia end Real Madrid's winning streak . Valencia keeper Diego Alves celebrates after helping earn a thrilling 2-1 victory over Real Madrid at the Mestalla . Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after opening the scoring for Real Madrid with a first-half penalty . Gareth Bale (left) heads back to the centre circle as Real Madrid see their 22-game winning streak come to an end . Valencia: Diego Alves; Barragan (Feghouli 73), Otamendi, Mustafi, Orban; Parejo, Enzo Perez, Andre Gomes; Piatti (Gaya 23), Negredo (Rodrigo 80), Alcacer. Subs not used: Vezo, Rodriguez, De Paul, Gil. Booked: Mustafi, Orban, Parejo, Perez, Gaya, Alcacer. Goals: Barragan 52, Otamendi 65. Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Marcelo; Isco, Kroos, James (Khedira 71); Bale (Jese 71), Benzema (Hernandez 80), Ronaldo. Subs not used: Navas, Varane, Arbeloa, Illarramendi. Booked: Ramos, Carvajal, Isco. Goal: Ronaldo pen 14. Ref: Jesus Gil Manzano. Attendance: 50,738. Valencia played with amazing intensity, continuing their revival this season under Nuno Espirito Santo and showed they are good value to get back into the Champions League. This was the scene of one of Gareth Bale's greatest triumphs, the ground where he scored that brilliant solo goal against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, but along with Karim Benzema he was substituted as Madrid desperately searched for an equaliser. January is usually a gruelling month in Spain because that tournament begins for La Liga sides, and this year is no different. Real face local rivals Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night in the cup, but Ancelotti picked his strongest available side. The last time these teams met, it took a quite brilliant Ronaldo strike to earn Real Madrid a point, the Portugal star's acrobatic backheel one of the goals of the season. Luka Modric was missing that day and injury again prevented the Croatian from playing—he is expected back in February—while Marcelo and Sergio Ramos, both injury doubts, started. There is a good feeling around Valencia this season, especially now Peter Lim is in control of the club's affairs. New €25million signing Enzo Perez was incorporated into the midfield straight away, replacing the suspended Javi Fuego. Seven thousand Valencia fans were there to greet the team bus when it arrived, and created a huge tifo reading 'Yes we can', while Lim himself visited the dressing room. The supporters weren't particularly keen on their team giving Real Madrid a guard of honour at the start of the game, to recognise their Club World Cup success, and made their feelings known. The only time Valencia have fallen at home this season was against Barcelona and even that was a barely deserved, last-minute win thanks to Sergio Busquets ramming home after a scramble in the box. Going to the Mestalla is no easy task, and Valencia made sure of it from the off, with a string of challenges that toed a fine line between hard-but-fair and brutal. Nuno's side accumulated an astonishing five bookings in the first half, including one for new boy Perez. Valencia players clap on their Real Madrid counterparts to congratulate them for their Club World Cup victory . Real Madrid record signing Bale (left) is tackled by Valencia's Lucas Orban to concede a first-half free kick . Valencia players argue with the referee after a penalty is awarded to Real Madrid for a hand ball by Alvaro Negredo . Valencia's goalkeeper Diego Alves speaks to Ronaldo before the Portuguese superstar takes his penalty . Ronaldo paid no attention to the keeper's attempts to put him off and struck his penalty cleanly . Ronaldo is congratulated by Marcelo (left) and Sergio Ramos (centre) after stroking home his penalty . France international Karim Benzema reacts after missing a first half opportunity to double Real Madrid's lead . Real Madrid talisman Ronaldo evades a tackle from Valencia's Nicolas Otamendi during the game at the Metsalla . Valencia manager Nuno Espirito Santo signals to players from the sidelines as his team chase the game in the second half . Ronaldo holds his hands to his lips after coming close to scoring his second goal of the evening . Valencia's strong starts have been notable this season, particularly when they raced into a 3-0 lead over Champions Atletico Madrid, whom they trail by a point after this game. But despite coming out all guns blazing, it was Madrid that took the lead. Alvaro Negredo handled the ball in the box after a Toni Kroos free kick had not been dealt with, and Ronaldo sent penalty expert Diego Alves the wrong way from the spot. Historically Los Che have a strong record against Real Madrid, having beaten them 42 times, more than any other side in Spanish football history. Recent years have proved more disappointing though, with the club unable to attain victory in any of the previous 10 clashes with Los Blancos. Against Barcelona, Valencia had not been able to maintain their intensity, but here they did, coming out in the second half swinging, and they got their reward. Barragan, the right-back who is out of contract in the summer, was having a marvellous game and on one of his runs forward earned some space for a shot, just outside the box. His strike deflected off Pepe and past the helpless Casillas, setting the stadium alight. And then, the unthinkable. Daniel Parejo swung the ball in from a corner kick and Nicolas Otamendi rose highest, thanks to a superhuman, hanging leap, and planted the ball far beyond Casillas to send the Valencia supporters wild. The rampaging Barragan had another chance shortly after Valencia took the lead but fired inches wide of Casillas' far post after some stunning build-up play and Andre Gomes' through-ball. Madrid hooked Bale, Karim Benzema and James Rodriguez, with Sami Khedira, Jese and Javier Hernandez thrown on in their places. They came extremely close through Isco but goalkeeper Diego Alves made an outstanding save from his header, before goalscorer Otamendi acrobatically smashed the ball off the line to prevent Ronaldo following up. He had another chance towards the end but span a header wide of the near post when he should have hit the target. The front cover of Barcelona-based newspaper Sport had read 'Liga caliente', signifying that the title race was hotting up. It was more in hope than expectation, but Valencia at a riotous Mestalla, came through. Valencia's defender Barragan (centre) celebrates after bringing the home side level in the second half . Barragan drops to his knees to celebrate bringing Valencia back on level terms with a deflected strike . Bale (right) watches as Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi gives the hosts a leader with a header from a corner . Otamendi (left ) celebrates in front of jubilant Valencia fans after giving Valencia a 2-1 lead . Manchester City loanee Alvaro Negredo (left) competes for the ball with Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos . Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo walks off at the end of the game as his side's winning run is ended .
Ancelotti's side. It handed Barcelona the chance spurned it against David Moyes' Real Sociedad and it means Madrid are top of the table by a point, Madrid at the Mestalla . Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after opening the scoring for Real Madrid see their 22-game winning streak come to an end . Valencia: Diego Alves; Barragan took the lead. Alvaro Negredo handled the ball in after bringing the home side level in the second as Valencia defender Nicolas Otamendi gives the hosts a leader with a header from a corner . Valencia fans after giving Valencia a 2-1 lead . competes for the ball with Real Madrid midfielder