Celta shock slack Real Madrid
Real Madrid were distinctly lacking the samba style that had been expected from the Spanish giants fielding Brazilians Ronaldo and Robinho and slumped to a 3-2 home defeat by Celta Vigo.
The decisive goal had shades of Geoff Hurst's famous strike in the 1966 World Cup final when Celta's Uruguayan international Fabian Canobbio sent a thunderous shot crashing into the cross bar and down across the line.
No one was quite sure whether Canobbio's effort after 77 minutes had crossed the line apart from linesman Luis Gutierrez, who signalled the goal that gave Celta their winner.
"This defeat hurt, although in the long run it could be good for the side because they will learn from it," said a chastened Real coach Wanderley Luxemburgo.
"This hasn't been a good week for us many players returned from international duty far too close to this match. When you can't be together, these sort of things happen. As for Celta's third goal, I don't want to talk about referees and their assistants but I don't think it was a goal," added the Brazilian.
However it was no lucky win for Celta, despite the controversial nature of their winner.
"We worked hard, suffered and just got the piece of luck that you need to win games like this. It was a dream to win here and we have realized it. We closed down the spaces which limited the number of passes that could get to Robinho," commented Celta coach Fernando Vazquez.
Real were rocked after just eight minutes when Celta's Pablo Contreras was on hand to find the net from close range after a Fernando Baiano header from a corner bounced off the bar and straight to the defender's feet.
The hosts immediately launched an onslaught to get back on level terms but it took them until eight minutes from half time until they finally scored.
Ronaldo found the net from the penalty spot, with Contreras harshly judged to have fouled Baptista in the box.
Celta protested loudly about the penalty but there were no complaints about Real's second goal, a marvellous diving header from Baptista from an inch-perfect pass from 25 metres by Ivan Helguera after 44 minutes.
However, the crowd in the Santiago Bernabeu were silenced barely two minutes later when Francisco Pavon handled a high ball into the box during injury time at the end of the first half.
Canobbio's penalty was saved by Real goalkeeper Iker Casillas but the Spanish international could do nothing to stop the follow up header by Antonio Nunez reaching the net.
For Nunez it was sweet revenge on Real, his former club.
Madrid born-and-bred, Nunez was a product of Real's reserves and played a handful of games for the Real first team two seasons ago deal before being told he was surplus to requirements and used as a makeweight in the deal that brought Michael Owen to Madrid.
Real started with the club and Spain captain Raul Gonzalez on the bench after he had struggled to fully overcome a mild back strain suffered midweek.
However, Raul did make an appearance after 69 minutes, coming on for Thomas Gravesen.
The Danish international lucky to still be on the field having been booked earlier and then guilty of an unpunished scything tackle just moments before being wisely taken off.
Deportivo La Coruna left it late to get a 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid, Joan Capdevila finding the net with a neat left foot shot from just inside the area four minutes into injury time.
Real Betis were less-than-impressive ahead of their Champions League tie with holders Liverpool on Tuesday, having to rely on a Ricardo Oliviera spot kick after 63 minutes to get them a 1-0 victory over Osasuna.
Osasuna's Enrique Corrales brought down Edu in the box to give Oliveira the chance to break the deadlock.
Reigning Spanish champions Barcelona are at home to Real Mallorca on Sunday.
Villarreal, last season's third placed team who play host to Manchester United in the Champions League on Wednesday, entertain Sevilla also on Sunday.