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March 3, 2024

Valencia 2-2 Real Madrid: Vinicius Shines as Bellingham Sees Red in Dramatic Finish – La Liga

Vinicius Jr. stunned a hostile Mestalla crowd with a crucial brace, helping Real Madrid recover. They rallied from behind 2-0 to earn a 2-2 draw with Valencia. The hosts initially dominated, scoring two quick goals through Hugo Duro and Roman Yaremchuk. However, Vinicius struck once in each half, leveling the score before Jude Bellingham was sent off after a late goal was disallowed due to his reaction at the final whistle.

The match was emotionally charged, especially for Vinicius, who returned to the site of his high-profile racist abuse from May 2023. He began the game by honoring the victims of a recent apartment fire in Valencia. The home crowd was electric, and they were rewarded early on when Duro capitalized on some luck, followed by Yaremchuk scoring after a defensive error from Dani Carvajal.

Just before halftime, Vinicius gave Madrid hope, scoring in the dying seconds and celebrating with a decisive gesture in front of the Valencia supporters. He then netted again in the second half to equalize. Still, the drama escalated when Bellingham’s late effort was ruled out, leading to his dismissal.

Despite Valencia’s efforts, the score held until full-time. They had a late penalty correctly overturned by VAR, and just as the referee blew the whistle, Bellingham found the net from a Real Madrid cross. His reaction led to a red card shortly after.

Now, Girona and Barcelona can narrow Madrid’s lead to four and six points if they win their matches tomorrow. Girona faces relegation-threatened Mallorca, while Barcelona takes on fifth-placed Athletic Bilbao, who could enter the Champions League spots with a win.

The atmosphere at Estadio Mestella was already charged for Valencia’s first game since the recent tragedy, intensifying further when Rodrygo avoided punishment for elbowing captain Jose Gaya. Real Madrid looked unsettled in the first half. Still, Vinicius’ goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time—extended due to Gaya’s injury—gave them renewed hope. He followed up with another goal, responding perfectly to the crowd’s jeers.

Talking Point – Madrid Show Resilience to Earn a Point

Real Madrid struggled to gain control in the first half, attempting to quiet the passionate home crowd with spells of possession that ultimately lacked a clear goal threat. Bellingham and Vinicius seemed out of sync for much of the game, resulting in the team settling for long-range shots against a well-organized Valencia defense.

However, things changed when Carlo Ancelotti adjusted his tactics to a more direct style of play. This shift tired the Valencia defense, creating openings that Bellingham and substitutes Luka Modric and Brahim Diaz could exploit, eventually leading to the equalizer.

Bellingham had a chance to level earlier in the second half but shot straight at Giorgi Mamardashvili, and his late goal was disallowed for offside. The match, however, was overshadowed by a severe injury to Monctar Doakhaby, who was stretchered off after Aurelien Tchouameni fell onto his planted leg.

Player of the Match – Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid)

Vinicius Junior stood out for Real Madrid, particularly after a tense start marked by the Gaya incident. He narrowly avoided a booking for a late shove on Pepelu. While Rodrygo struggled to make an impact before being substituted, Vinicius elevated his performance and ultimately earned the point for his team.

Player Ratings

VALENCIA

Mamardashvili 6, Foulquier 8, Diakhaby 5, Mosquera 6, Gaya 7, Perez 7, Pepelu 6, Guerra 7, Canos 7, Yaremchuk 7, Duro 6.

Subs: Lopez 6, Guillamon 5, Gonzalez 6, Amallah 6, Ozkacar 6.

REAL MADRID

Lunin 6, Carvajal 6, Rudiger 6, Tchouameni 7, Mendy 5, Valverde 6, Kroos 5, Camavinga 7, Bellingham 7, Rodrygo 5, Vinicius 8.

Subs: Diaz 7, Modric 7, Joselu 6, Garcia 7, Nacho 6.

Match Highlights

10′ – HOW DID HE MISS THAT?

Not a player, but the referee! Rodrygo was late in a challenge on Gaya and then elbowed him in the back, but the official failed to issue a yellow card. Gaya receives medical attention while Rodrygo mumbles something, blocking his mouth from the cameras.

27′ – GOAL! VALENCIA 1-0 REAL MADRID (DURO)

The Mestella erupts! Hugo Duro scores with a brilliant reaction header, converting a deep cross from Foulquier after some determined midfield play. That’s Duro’s 11th goal of the season!

30′ – GOAL! VALENCIA 2-0 REAL MADRID (YAREMCHUK)

Real Madrid is rattled! A poor back pass from Carvajal allows Yaremchuk to round Lunin and tap into an empty net, capitalizing on their pressing.

45+5′ – GOAL! VALENCIA 2-1 REAL MADRID (VINICIUS)

Out of nowhere, Vinicius pulls one back! Carvajal’s low cross evades Mamardashvili, allowing Vinicius to fire home and celebrate with a Black power salute.

56′ – BELLINGHAM SHOULD’VE SCORED!

Bellingham breaks through the Valencia defense and fakes out Mosquera with a slick move. Still, Mamardashvili brilliantly saves his shot.

76′ – GOAL! VALENCIA 2-2 REAL MADRID (VINICIUS)

Vinicius strikes again! After a yellow card, he equalizes with a well-placed finish following a clever cross from Brahim Diaz.

90+1′ – PENALTY!

Duro is pressured by Fran Garcia, and the referee awards a penalty. However, after the VAR review, it’s CHALKED OFF due to minimal contact.

90’+8-RED CARD FOR JUDE AND GOAL DENIED!

Bellingham drives his head into the net, but the referee has already blown his whistle, so it is not considered a foul. The referee then seems to send Bellingham off for his response to the call.

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