In a gripping encounter at Mestalla, an unforeseen decision by referee Gil Manzano stole the victory from Real Madrid’s grasp.
Despite a thrilling 2-2 scoreline and a last-gasp goal by Bellingham, the referee’s controversial call, blowing the final whistle while the ball was still airborne, left fans and players in disbelief.
Bellingham‘s game-winning kick was disallowed by Gil Manzano because he blew the final whistle while the ball was still in the air.
Gil Manzano’s historic call as a referee stopped Real Madrid from defeating Valencia at the Mestalla. Brahim crossed into the box on the final play of the game with the score tied at 2-2, and Bellingham scored to make it 3-2.
However, the referee disallowed the goal because, while the Malagueno’s pass was still in the air, he had blown for full time. After coming back from a 2-0 deficit, the La Liga leaders had to settle for a point even though they earned all three. Vini Jr. scored twice to tie the game, which Gil Manzano’s call ultimately decided.
Although Madrid had the better of the early possession in the game, Hugo Duro’s header in the 27th minute gave Valencia the lead. Two minutes later, Lunin was beaten one-on-one by Yaremchuk, making things even more tricky.
The leaders had to respond to reverse the 2-0 deficit, and they had a chance to do so in the 41st minute when Mamardashvili made a fantastic save to save Valverde’s hard shot from the edge of the box. When Carvajal crossed the ball at stoppage time, it struck Javi Guerra in the chest and bounced around the box before Vini Jr. emerged to tap it into the net. 2-1 at the half, but the plot would shift following the intermission.
Real Madrid made the home team defend a few yards further back by moving the ball more quickly. In the 54th minute, they may have tied the score. After Mendy passed the ball to Bellingham, the latter cut inside and beat Mosquera with a deft cut-back, but his next chance was stopped by Mamardashvili. Later on, Valencia responded with a shot from Diego Lopez that was just inside the six-yard box. Lunin made a fantastic save to stop a 3-1 score.
Vini Jr.’s Brace and the Controversy
Brahim had an opportunity in the 70th minute, but his effort from the outskirts of the box with his left foot went inches wide of the target as Ancelotti’s team persisted in their onslaught to try to achieve the equalizer they deserved.
Next Match
In the Champions League, Real faces RB Leipzig midweek with the goal of advancing to the quarterfinals. From the first leg in Germany, they had a 1-0 lead.
