Jose Mourinho's nine-year, 150-match unbeaten league home record as a manager came to an end after a 1-0 defeat to lowly Sporting Gijon in a poor Liga game at the Santiago Bernabeu. Mourinho, whose record started at Porto and encompassed trophy-laden spells at Chelsea and Internazionale, could hardly believe his eyes, giving a wry smile at the end of a scrappy match that was won by a fine goal from former Atletico Madrid midfielder Miguel de las Cuevas.
The defeat deals a massive blow to their hopes of closing the gap on Liga leaders Barcelona, who will extend their lead to eight points if they win at Villarreal later on Saturday.
With recently-retired Brazil star Ronaldo watching his former side after being presented a lifetime achievement award before kick-off Real - who were missing Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Xabi Alonso and Marcelo - were well below par, playing poorly even if they were under strength as their starting XI was entirely comprised of top internationals.
Ricardo Carvalho had an early goal chalked off after the ball crossed the line in the build-up, while in the 77 minutes before the winning goal Sporting keeper Juan Pablo was tested only twice, by Angel Di Maria early on and Gonzalo Higuain just after he came on as a second-half substitute.
Emmanuel Adebayor - who had a terrible game in front of goal as he struggled to lead the line - kicked air twice, one with a failed bicycle kick and once sliding in to meet a low cross.
The performance was begging to be punished and Sporting did just that, De las Cuevas drilling in a fine low shot off the post after a smart move down the left.
With 12 minutes remaining it was all hands to the pump for Madrid but they failed to break the visitors down, Juan Pablo earning his coin with a terrific double save from Adebayor and Sami Khedira, with the keeper making another stop from the Togo striker in injury time.
And in the last kick of the game Khedira was denied a dramatic equaliser as a Sporting defender bravely flung himself towards the post to keep his low finish out.
It is Madrid's third league defeat of the season, leaving them on 73 points which - with eight games remaining - may still not prove enough in a division entirely dominated by the top two.
Relegation-threatened Sporting move up to 11th, seven points clear of the drop zone although the bottom three all play on Sunday.
Reda Maher / Eurosport
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