Vinícius Júnior showcased his talent, scoring twice as Real Madrid fought to a 2-2 draw against Valencia in La Liga. This marked Vinícius’ return to Mestalla Stadium, where he endured racial abuse last season.
The match was not without controversy as Jude Bellingham received a red card after the final whistle for protesting a disallowed goal. Despite Bellingham’s efforts, the referee ruled that time had expired before his header.
Vinícius found the net in the 50th and 76th minutes, cancelling out Valencia’s first-half goals by Hugo Duro and Roman Yaremchuk.
The racial abuse suffered by Vinícius last May remains a stain on Spanish football. While there were no immediate reports of further insults, the Brazilian faced chants and jeers from some spectators throughout the game.
After each goal, Vinícius responded defiantly, holding up his fist and cupping his ears towards the Valencia fans. Despite Valencia banning three fans for life for racially abusing him last season, the club has criticized Vinícius and Real Madrid for their portrayal of the incident.
In a post-match interview, Vinícius described the game as “very difficult” but took to Instagram to assert, “The fight continues.”
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised Vinícius’s performance, highlighting his effectiveness in the penalty area. Madrid remains atop the league standings, holding a seven-point lead over Girona and nine points over Barcelona.
Valencia took the lead in the first half through goals by Duro and Yaremchuk. However, Vinícius pulled one back just before halftime, and then equalized with a header in the second half.
FT: #ValenciaRealMadrid 2-2
It ends in a draw at Mestalla! 🟰#LALIGAEASPORTS | #ResultsByVisitSaudi pic.twitter.com/ZOzSSSVQn8
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 2, 2024
Valencia suffered another blow as defender Mouctar Diakhaby was carried off on a stretcher following a collision with Aurélien Tchouaméni.
Bellingham’s red card capped off a frustrating night for Madrid. The English midfielder, who leads the league in goals, was shown the red card for his protests after the disallowed goal.
Referee Jesús Gil Manzano reported that Bellingham had approached him aggressively, using profanity to dispute the decision.
Despite the drama, Madrid remains in a strong position in the title race. Vinícius’s resilience on the pitch reflects his determination to overcome adversity, both on and off the field.
As the fight against racism in football continues, Vinícius’s performance serves as a reminder of the importance of standing up against discrimination and injustice.
Divya 
Mehek