Thanks to a double from Vinicius, Real snatches a draw from Valencia in La Liga

The match: 2-2

In a tense meeting, animated by the vivid memories of their last opposition to Mestalla (1-0), Real Madrid and Valencia failed to decide between themselves, Saturday as part of the 27th day of La Liga. Trailing 2-0 after half an hour of play and goals from Hugo Duro and Roman Iaremtchouk, both scored following Madrid errors, the Merengues scared themselves but avoided the worst thanks to a double from Vinicius and a better completed second period. They could even have taken the advantage, at the last second, after a header from Jude Bellingham, but referee Jesus Manzano had whistled before the ball crossed the line.

From the outset, Valencia showed its color, committing three fouls in the first three minutes, including a crude tackle by Iaremtchouk on Aurélien Tchouaméni (3rd). As if to signal to Real that winning at Mestalla will not be as simple as in the first leg (5-1), at Bernabeu. If the idea of ​​Ruben Baraja’s men was to take their opponents out of their match, this paid off, initially, with the loss of nerves of certain Madrilenians, like Rodrygo who delivered a blow elbow in the back of José Gaya (10th).

Then in a second phase, this time by errors immediately punished by the Valencians. First a loss of the ball in his area from Vinicius, which allowed Dimitri Foulquier to cross for Sergi Canos, a happy decisive passer after a missed volley, deflected with a header by Hugo Duro (1-0, 27th). Then a risky recovery from Dani Carvajal in the middle, two minutes after opening the score, allowed Yaremtchouk to dribble past Andreï Lounin and score the break goal by pushing the ball into the empty goal (29th).

Vinicius in pattern

Plagued by doubt, Real faltered but revived at the end of the first period thanks to Vinicius, receiving a cross from Carvajal which had pierced the Valencian goalkeeper (2-1, 45+5th). Invigorated by the reduction in the score, the Madrilenians could have equalized upon returning from the locker room via Bellingham, but his face-to-face with Giorgi Mamardashivili turned to the goalkeeper’s advantage (54th).

Ten minutes from time, Real pushed and equalized thanks to Vinicius, this time with a header, perfectly placed after a cross from Brahim Diaz (2-2, 77th). The Brazilian celebrated his double by raising a fist in the air, responding to the whistles against him that had been ringing out since the start of the match.

The fact: referee Jesus Manzano whistles the end of the match and prevents Real’s victory

The end of the meeting then turned into an incredible scenario, leaving room for total confusion. Mouctar Diakhaby first came out with a horrible injury (86th), before Valencia was awarded a penalty, finally withdrawn by video assistance (90th + 1). In added time, referee Jesus Manzano whistled the end of the match, a few seconds before a headed goal from Bellingham, supposed to give victory to Real Madrid. Enough to trigger a Madrid bronca, illustrated by the fury of the Englishman, expelled at the end of the meeting. On his X account (ex-Twitter), Tchouaméni has already expressed his incomprehension.

Valencia and Real Madrid part ways in chaos, back to back. With this draw, Real Madrid remains solid at the top of La Liga and now looks to the reception of Leipzig on Wednesday in the Champions League. The Valencians put in an excellent effort against the leader and have not lost at home in the Championship since September.

29

Under pressure, the referee of the match Jesus Manzano whistled 29 fouls (18 from Valencia, 11 from Real Madrid). Demonstration of a particularly hasty encounter.