Jude Bellingham was sent off for protesting after Real Madrid’s thrilling victory in Valencia was denied by the final whistle.
At the Mestalla, where he endured racist taunts the previous season, Vinicius Jr. netted twice as Real Madrid overcame a 2-0 deficit to earn a point and go seven points clear of La Liga.
Six minutes into stoppage time, Bellingham appeared to have won the match when he headed in from close range, but referee Gil Manzano had already blown the whistle to halt play when the cross was delivered.
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Manzano was surrounded by actual players and staff, and Bellingham—who had been out of the lineup for three weeks due to an injury—was given a red card for his involvement in the protests.
Mouctar Diakhaby, a midfielder for Valencia, appeared to have suffered a catastrophic leg injury in a late clash with Aurelien Tchouameni.
Players covered their faces as Diakhaby was brought off on a stretcher.
Hugo Duro gave Valencia the lead with his 12th goal of the season, finishing a scuffed shot by Fran Perez.
After three minutes, Roman Yaremchuk rounded the goalie and found an open goal after intercepting Dani Carvajal’s pass to Andriy Lunin.
After goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili mishandled Carvajal’s cross, Vinicius poked in from close range.
The Brazilian, who was sent off and subjected to racist taunts during his previous visit to the stadium in May, celebrated by pumping his fist in the air in the direction of the Valencia supporters.
After the break, Valencia, who hadn’t lost at home since September, seemed content to hold onto their lead, but Real made a late surge for an equaliser, with Toni Kroos and Bellingham coming close.
After a while, Real Madrid’s pressure paid off when Vinicius headed in Brahim Diaz’s cross at the far post.
After a video review, referee Manzano reversed the ruling that Valencia had been awarded a penalty because he believed Nacho had fouled Duro.
Real Madrid’s league winning streak now stands at 21 games after the draw, while second-place Girona still has a game in hand.
Valencia was playing for the first time since a fire in two apartment buildings in the city on February 23 claimed the lives of at least ten people.
