An unprecedented refereeing decision by Gil Manzano prevented Real Madrid from beating Valencia at Mestalla. With the score at 2-2 and in the last play of the game, Brahim crossed into the box and Bellingham headed home to make it 3-2. But the referee disallowed the goal as he had blown for full-time when the Malagueño’s pass was still in the air. The LaLiga leaders deserved all three points, but had to settle for a point after coming back from 2-0 down. Two goals from Vini Jr. tied the match, which was finally settled by Gil Manzano’s decision.
The match started with Madrid dominating possession, but Valencia took the lead with their first dangerous chance which Hugo Duro converted in the 27th minute. Things got even more complicated two minutes later with Yaremchuk’s goal, who beat Lunin one-on-one. The leaders had to react to turn around the 2-0 deficit and could have reduced the deficit when Valverde’s powerful shot from the edge of the area was met by a great save from Mamardashvili in the 41st minute. In stoppage time, Carvajal crossed, the ball hit Javi Guerra’s chest and pinged around the box until Vini Jr. popped up to tap it into the net. 2-1 at half-time but the storyline was to change after the break.
Real Madrid moved the ball more quickly and forced the home side to defend a few yards further back. They could have equalised in the 54th minute. Mendy delivered the ball to Bellingham, who cut inside and beat Mosquera with a fine cut-back, but he was unable to beat Mamardashvili with his subsequent shot. Valencia’s response came later with a Diego Lopez shot from just inside the six-yard box. Lunin prevented a 3-1 scoreline with a great save.
Vini Jr. brace and controversy
Ancelotti’s side continued to attack in search of the equaliser they had deserved and Brahim had a chance in the 70th minute with a shot with the outside of his left foot from the edge of the area that missed the target by inches. The 2-2 came five minutes later, when Brahim’s inch-perfect cross was headed home by Vini Jr. It was all square and in stoppage time, Gil Manzano gave a penalty for Fran García’s foul on Hugo Duro, but after reviewing it on the monitor and following a warning from the VAR referee, he decided to correct his initial erroneous decision.
2024-03-02 22:13:00
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