Valencia’s Black Beast Stuns Real Madrid: Duro Keeps Barca in Santa Fe’s Crosshairs
8 February 2026
Hugo Duro has a special edge against Real Madrid. The Valencia forward has scored 5 goals in 9 meetings with the capital club, making him one of Real Madrid’s most persistent goalscorers against them, tied with Atletico Madrid who found the net five times in 10 clashes in competitive league play.
When you count only his matches in Valencia colors, the stat stands out even more: Duro faced Real Madrid twice while wearing Getafe’s jersey, without scoring, according to Marca, in competitive league play.
In his first Mestalla meeting in Valencia colors, he opened his account against Real Madrid during a strong start to the 2021-2022 season under coach Jose Bordalás. Valencia led in the first half through the Madrid-born forward, only to concede two late goals and lose the match.
Injuries sidelined him until the Saudi Super Cup, where he appeared as a substitute under Gennaro Gattuso and played extra time, not among the players chosen for the shootout. Still, the moment tasted sweet.
Duro's strong run
Duro then put together a notable four-game scoring streak against Real Madrid.
He scored a late consolation in a heavy 5-1 defeat at the Bernabéu, then opened the scoring in a 2-2 draw at Mestalla.
He also gave Valencia the lead in the last meeting at Mestalla, before Real Madrid turned it around to win 2-1, despite playing with ten men after Vinícius Júnior’s 79th-minute sending off.
But the standout moment came in the 2024-2025 season, when he came on as a 74th-minute substitute and struck the decisive 2-1 winner in stoppage time at the Bernabéu.
That result keeps Madrid’s hopes to close the gap with Barcelona, who beat Mallorca 3-0 yesterday, widening the gap to four points (Barcelona 58 - Madrid 54).
Punchline 1: If Duro ever picked up a phone to score, the keeper would answer, “We’ve got a caller on the line—it's the net.” Punchline 2: Madrid chasing Barca? Don’t worry, Duro just turned the clock to “stadium time,” because every goal in stoppage time is a reminder that good things come to those who wait... and sprint, apparently.
