In a dramatic game at the Mestalla, Real Madrid came from behind to salvage a point against Valencia, but not without controversy. Vinicius Jr, who was a victim of racist abuse at the same venue last season, scored twice to secure a draw for Real Madrid, who moved seven points clear at the top of La Liga.
The match took a contentious turn when Jude Bellingham thought he had secured a late winner for Real Madrid. However, his header in stoppage time was disallowed as the referee had already blown the final whistle before the cross was delivered. This decision sparked protests from Real Madrid players and staff, leading to Bellingham being shown a red card for his involvement in the protests.
Despite the disappointment of the disallowed goal, Real Madrid showed resilience to fight back from a 2-0 deficit. Valencia had taken the lead through goals from Hugo Duro and Roman Yaremchuk before Vinicius Jr’s heroics rescued a point for the visitors. The Brazilian’s celebrations were poignant, raising his fist towards the Valencia fans in response to the racial abuse he had suffered previously at the same stadium.
The disallowed goal wasn’t the only controversy of the match. Valencia midfielder Mouctar Diakhaby suffered a serious leg injury late in the game following a collision with Aurelien Tchouameni. The sight of Diakhaby being stretchered off the pitch left players and fans alike visibly concerned.
Injury concerns and Valencia’s resilience
Despite Diakhaby’s injury setback, Valencia impressively held onto their lead throughout most of the game, showcasing their resilience. Their defensive efforts frustrated Real Madrid, who pushed hard for an equalizer after halftime. Toni Kroos and Bellingham came close to scoring before Vinicius Jr eventually found the back of the net with a header at the far post, ensuring Real Madrid left the Mestalla with a hard-fought point.
Valencia’s defensive stability at home has been a highlight of their season, with their last home loss dating back to September. Although they were unable to secure all three points against the league leaders, their performance against Real Madrid showcased their ability to compete with the best teams in La Liga.
