What a game ! At the end of a nightmarish evening for him, reduced to ten men, Real Madrid overthrew Valencia on their lawn (1-2) on Friday evening, and provisionally took the lead in La Liga. Luka Modric (85th) and Jude Bellingham (90th+5) responded to Hugo Duro (27th). In the meantime: a missed penalty by Jude Bellingham, a goal denied to Kylian Mbappé and an expulsion of Vinicius, guilty of a bad gesture on the opposing goalkeeper, livened up the meeting. Amazing evening at Mestalla.
We should definitely never bury this club, capable of creating the unimaginable in moments when it seems impossible. After 84 minutes, the outcome was entirely catastrophic for Carlo Ancelotti's men. Dominated by Valencia (although 19th in the championship) during the first 30 minutes, they logically gave in to Hugo Duro (27th). All under the leadership of a Frenchman, clearly not the one we most expected: Dimitri Foulquier. Untenable on his right side, the full-back delivered a perfect cross to Javi Guerra. The Spaniard's shot, barely repelled by Thibaut Courtois, benefited Duro, who just had to push the ball deep.
An evening where everything goes wrong for real
Only Federico Valverde (5th) had really requested Stole Dimitrievski, the Valencia goalkeeper. The players of Carlos Corberan, the brand new coach of Valencia, came close to opening the score in a face-to-face missed by Foulquier (12th), in the wake of a volley from Duro (12th). And although refreshed after returning from the locker room, the Madrilenians believed they were going from bad luck to bad luck.
Much faster than central defender César Tarrega, Kylian Mbappé obtained a penalty (52nd), mowed down by his opponent. Jude Bellingham grabbed the ball but only found the right post (53rd). Then, at the conclusion of a magnificent movement initiated by Vinicius and Bellingham, the former Parisian thought of equalizing (60th). But for a few centimeters, the attacker was in an offside position. Even Rodrygo, author of a beautiful header (66th) only found Dimitrievski's gloves.
Vinicius cracked
Frustrated, Vinicius gave in to a charge from the same Dimitrievski after a magnificent tackle from Foulquier (76th), him again. A stroller to the back of the head and a video referee call later, the Brazilian was excluded (79th). Mad with rage, the runner-up for the 2024 Ballon d'Or had to be brought back to the locker room by the Real staff who seemed incapable of getting up.
Vinicius Junior and the action for which he was expelled for attacking Stole Dimitrievski.
Credit: Getty Images
Except that Modric, who had just come into play (80th), treated us to a winning outside from the left (85th), at the conclusion of a magical movement between Brahim Diaz and Bellingham. Then the Englishman, taking advantage of a missed back pass by Hugo Guillamon, deceived Dimitrievski and air-conditioned Mestalla (90th + 5). An incredible evening which, moreover, gives Real Madrid two points ahead at the top of La Liga. The Merengues will be leaders for at least nine days, until Atlético de Madrid can make up for their match in hand. While Valencia remains penultimate, tied on points with Valladolid (12), four units from maintaining… Cruel, but unforgettable.
