Controversial refereeing denies Madrid victory
1 week(s)
Real Madrid drew in Vallecas a match they could have won if Martínez Munuera had pointed out Mumin's penalty on Vini Jr. in the 75th minute. The Whites were 2-0 down but equalised before the break with a great goal by Valverde and a goal by Bellingham. In the second half, Rodrygo completed the comeback in the 56th minute, only for Isi made it 3-3 eight minutes later.
The game swung against us almost from the start with Unai López's goal, who beat Courtois with a header after just four minutes. Our team reacted and could have equalised with a cross from Rodrygo, who came close to beating Batalla in the 13th minute. Arda Güler had a clearer chance twenty minutes later. Lucas Vázquez‘s back pass and the Turk's shot missed the target by inches.
From 2-0 to 2-2
From then on the match was spectacular, with three goals in less than ten minutes. Rayo struck first, making it 2-0 from a corner taken by Isi in the 36th minute and headed into the net by Mumin. Three minutes later came the goal of the night. Valverde looked up and unleashed a spectacular long-range effort with his instep that caressed the post on entry. Ancelotti's side's reaction did not end there, however, and in the 45th minute they drew level. Rodrygo crossed and Bellingham popped up to score his sixth consecutive LaLiga goal with a beautiful header.
The second half started very differently. The home side slowed down and Real Madrid took advantage of this to complete the comeback in the 56th minute with a left-footed Rodrygo strike from the edge of the area. The ball hit Ratiu before beating Batalla. The 2-3 scoreline would only last eight minutes when Isi's touch was enough to find the net as he connected withvLejeune's cross.
Penalty on Vini Jr.
The game was now back and forth and in the 75th minute came the most controversial play of the match. Vini Jr. was clearly brought down inside the area by Mumin, but Martínez Munuera did not award a penalty, neither was there any warning from González Fuertes, the VAR referee. The Whites kept searching for the winning goal and it could have come nine minutes later with a left-footed shot from the Brazilian that was met by a great save from the goalkeeper. In added time, Fran García crossed into the box, Vini Jr. headed the ball down only for Rüdiger to miss the target by inches. Our team, who deserved to win, are now thinking about the final of the Intercontinental Cup.