Sporting Gijon won 1-0 away to Real Madrid in the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium this Saturday night to end Jose Mourinho's incredible record as a coach.
Mourinho had been unbeaten in a home league match for the past nine years, which had taken him through his periods with Porto, Chelsea and Inter Milan.
On Saturday a goal from Sporting winger Miguel Angel de las Cuevas ended that record and probably with it Madrid's title hopes.
It was a reward for a Sporting side that gave everything and which had to withstand a virtual siege of their goal in the last 10 minutes.
Real Madrid were without Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Marcelo, but still had a powerful side against a Sporting team that is battling against relegation.
Needing a win to pressure league leaders FC Barcelona, Madrid began brightly and Ricardo Carvalho had the ball in the next as early as the second minute, only for his "goal" to be ruled out as it had already gone out for a goalkick before the defender netted from close range.
Angel De Maria was Madrid's most dangerous player with his runs at the home defense and shot wide after eight minutes before the game entered a dull phase.
Sporting were able to control Madrid in midfield and Andre Castro could have done better than hit a shot over the bar from a corner. Miguel Angel de las Cuevas also had Madrid hearts in mouths with a run that took him past Madrid keeper Iker Casillas only for him to go too wide to manage to shoot.
The home fans became increasingly nervous as the half progressed, although the first 45 minutes ended with Sami Khedira wasting the best chance of the game as he headed wide when well placed.
The second half also got off to a slow start and Mourinho wasted little time in bringing Gonzalo Higuain into the game. The Argentinean returned after four months out injured following an operation on a distal hernia and almost scored with his first shot on the match, only for Sporting keeper Juan Pablo to make a good save.
On the whole though Sporting looked secure and sprang a major shock with De las Cuevas scored with a right foot shot with 10 minutes remaining.
Madrid threw everything at Sporting in the last 10 minutes and saw Juan Pablo make several good saves and a shot from Khedira cleared off the line in a nerve wracking end to the game.
However, Sporting's luck held good, while Madrid will probably have to say goodbye to their chances of winning the title.
