1-0: Defeat in Valencia, yet again with referee and VAR controversy

Real Madrid lost to Valencia in a match that had to be suspended for nine minutes due to racist insults towards Vini Jr., who was subsequently sent off after the VAR intervention in an incident where Hugo Duro had previously grabbed him by the neck.

Real Madrid were beaten at Mestalla in a very controversial match, which had to be stopped for 9 minutes due to racist insults towards Vini Jr. The first half that was played at a very high tempo, but there weren’t many chances to show for it at either end. Almeida had the most dangerous effort from the edge of the area but it was saved by Courtois in the 16th minute and Benzema’s indirect free kick on the half hour mark was held by Mamardashvili. Everything changed just four minutes later, as Diego Lopez scored at the far post after Kluivert’s assist.

​Ancelotti’s side went in search of a comeback at Mestalla and came close to scoring an equalizer in the 41st minute. Asensio crossed and Vini Jr.’s header failed to find the target. Valencia had a chance to extend the lead before the break, but Courtois was brilliant keeping out a volley from Javi Guerra. Ancelotti brought on Rodrygo for Camavinga after the break. The Brazilian had a chance to equalize with 56 minutes played. His left-footed strike inside the area after a series of rebounds was kept out by a fine save from the home keeper. Eight minutes later, Modrić and Kroos came on for Asensio and Ceballos.

Controversy The minutes were ticking away and on 67′ Rodrygo had another chance in a move very similar to the previous one. This time he fired centimetres wide of the target. The first controversial incident of the match came two minutes later. Vini Jr. got away from Foulquier and as he was about to enter the area, Cömert hit another ball that was on the pitch, which crashed into the ball the Brazilian was in possession of. Following the intervention of the VAR, De Burgos Bengoetxea awarded a free-kick and booked the home side’s player. The atmosphere was getting heated at this point and the referee called a halt to the game because of racist insults being hurled at Vini Jr. from the stands. The match was consequently suspended for 9 minutes.   From the restart, Ancelotti’s men continued to press for an equaliser. Benzema chested the ball down and laid it off to Valverde, but he was denied by Mamardashvili’s brilliant reflex save to turn the Uruguayan’s shot from inside the box behind for a corner. The goalkeeper once again came to his team’s rescue from a close-range Kroos free-kick. And before the resulting corner kick could be taken, another scuffle broke out in the Valencia penalty area. De Burgos Bengoetxea booked Vini Jr, but after consulting the monitor, he overturned the yellow card and showed him a straight red card for lashing out at Hugo Duro. Subsequent footage showed Hugo Duro grabbing Vini Jr by the throat for several seconds before the Brazilian took a swing at him. Then in the 103rd minute there was another reflex save from Mamardashvili to deny Benzema in a one-on-one. The game went into 17 minutes of stoppage time, but the madridistas went away empty handed.