2024-03-03 00:27:57
Vinicius Junior scored two goals to help Real Madrid come back from a two-goal deficit to snatch a 2-2 draw against host Valencia, in a tense match in the Spanish League, on Saturday, as the Brazilian winger returned to the stadium where he was subjected to racist abuse months ago.
The 23-year-old Brazilian international looked defiantly at the Mestalla stadium fans several times, with the fans booing him whenever he touched the ball.
Real Madrid seemed to dominate the match early before Valencia recovered the ball in midfield and began a counterattack, which Hugo Duro ended with a header that gave the hosts the lead in the 27th minute.
Valencia gained more confidence, and their intense pressure resulted in a mistake by Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal, who passed the ball to Ukrainian Roman Yaremchuk, who dribbled past the goalkeeper before shooting into the net, increasing the hosts’ lead after 3 minutes.
However, Vinicius pulled one back with a close-range shot in first-half stoppage time, meeting a low cross from Carvajal before celebrating by raising his fist in the air in front of the Valencia fans.
The same player equalized with a header in the 76th minute, when he met a cross pass from substitute Brahim Diaz and celebrated by placing his hands behind his ears.
Jude Bellingham thought he had scored the winner with a header from close range, but then realized that referee Jesus Gil Mazano had blown the final whistle before Luka Modric sent in the cross.
An angry Bellingham went to the referee to complain, but was given a direct red card.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told Movistar Plus about the referee’s decision to end the match: “What can I say? There is not much to say. What happened is unprecedented. We are not happy with Bellingham’s expulsion. He told the referee (it’s a damned goal). He did not insult the referee. “.
Real raised its score to 66 points at the top, seven points ahead of second-placed Girona, which has a postponed match at Real Mallorca Stadium on Sunday.
Barcelona ranks third with 57 points, while Valencia ranks ninth with 37 points.
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