Vinicius Junior’s brace rescued Real Madrid from a potential defeat, salvaging a 2-2 draw against Valencia at the Mestalla on Sunday. The hosts stunned the visitors with two goals in quick succession during the first half. Hugo Duro headed in Fran Perez’s shot, while Roman Yarermchuk capitalized on Dani Carvajal’s loose pass to score into an empty net.
Vinicius ignited Madrid’s comeback just before halftime, reducing the deficit with a close-range finish. He completed his brace in the 76th minute, heading home from close range to level the score. The match remained a thrilling affair until the final whistle, with both teams pushing for a winner.
In a dramatic climax, Jude Bellingham thought he had secured victory for Valencia with a header in the dying moments. However, the referee blew the whistle for full-time before the cross entered the box, nullifying the goal. Madrid players protested vehemently, but the decision stood. Amid the chaos, Bellingham was shown a red card for his protests.
Vinicius’ return to the Mestalla was marked by a hostile reception from the home fans. He was racially abused last season at the same stadium, and on Sunday, he faced chants of “Vinicius is stupid” and constant booing.
In response, Vinicius celebrated his first goal by raising his fist towards the Valencia fans. After his equalizer, he cupped his ears, seemingly asking for more from the jeering crowd.
Despite the adversity, Vinicius remained unfazed and played a pivotal role in Madrid’s comeback. His performance underlined his resilience and determination, proving that he is not easily deterred by hostile environments.
Madrid’s draw maintains their seven-point lead at the top of the La Liga standings. They are now nine points clear of Barcelona, who have a game in hand.
