Belingham scored the winning goal for Real Madrid with the final kick of the game, but Gil Manzano disallowed it because he blew the final whistle when the ball was in the air.
In Short
Controversial Referee Decision?(watch video)
Gil Manzano’s unprecedented referee decision prevented Real Madrid from defeating Valencia at Mestalla. With the score tied at 2-2 in the final moments of the game, Brahim entered the box and Belingham scored, making it 3-2. However, the referee disallowed the goal as Malguenyo’s pass was still in the air when he had blown the full-time whistle.
⚠️ This is the full sequence of events at the end of the Valencia-Real Madrid match
— Jorge López-Torrecilla (@JLTorrecilla_) March 2, 2024
Last corner of the game, there is a second open play, THE REFEREE BLOWS THE WHISTLE WITH THE BALL IN THE AIR and Bellingham scores
He was also sent off for protesting
🤐🤐#ValenciaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/3I0NhOKJCC
La Liga leaders, Real Madrid were deserving of all three points, but after trailing 2-0, they had to settle for one. Vinicius Junior’s two goals equalized the match, which ultimately was decided by Gil Manzano’s decision.
Valencia’s early lead
The match started with Madrid’s dominance, but Valencia took the lead with their first dangerous opportunity, converted by Hugo Duro in the 27th minute. Two minutes later, things got even more complicated with Yeremchuk’s goal, defeating Lunin one-on-one. Real Madrid needed to respond to the 2-0 deficit, and the deficit could have been reduced when Valverde’s powerful shot from the edge of the area was brilliantly saved by Mamardashvili in the 41st minute. At halftime, the score was 2-1, but the story changed after the break.
Real Madrid response
Real Madrid pushed the ball forward more quickly, forcing the home team to defend deeper. They could have equalized in the 54th minute. Mendy passed the ball to Belingham, who defeated Mosquera from inside with a cut-back shot, but he was unable to beat Mamardashvili with his next shot. Valencia responded later with Diego Lopez’s shot from inside the six-yard box. Lunin made a splendid save, preventing the scoreline from becoming 3-1.
Vinicius Junior’s brace and controversy
Ancelotti’s team continued to attack in search of that equalizer they deserved, and Brahim had a chance to take the shot from the outside of his left foot from the edge of the box in the 70th minute, which missed inches from the goal. It came 2-2 five minutes later when Vinicius Junior headed home Brahim’s inch-perfect cross.
It was all square, and in stoppage time, Gil Manzano awarded a penalty against Hugo Duro for Fran Garcia’s foul, but after reviewing it on the monitor and a VAR referee warning, he decided to overturn his initial incorrect decision.
Also Read : “Real Madrid’s Champions League Triumph: Brahim Diaz Shines, Filling Void Left by Absent England Star”
Sociedad lost
Real Sociedad’s poor form continued as they lost 3-2 to Sevilla in front of their Champions League matchup against Paris Saint-Germain.
For Sevilla, Youssef En-Nesyri scored two consecutive goals in the 11th and 13th minutes. Sergio Ramos scored the third goal for Sevilla with a header in the 65th minute after Andre Silva missed a penalty spot for Sociedad once. The visiting team’s second goal came from Brais Mendez’s free-kick in stoppage time.
With this loss, Sociedad dropped to seventh place and lost contact with the leaders. With one of their better games of the season, Sevilla moved up to 14th position.
Sociedad needs to bounce back from their 2-0 defeat in the first round against PSG in the 16th round on Tuesday. Imanol Alguacil’s Sociedad had a strong start to the season, but it has suffered five losses in six matches in all competitions. This week, in front of their loyal supporters in San Sebastian, they faced a disappointing exit from the Copa del Rey semifinals after Mallorca triumphed in a penalty shootout.
Mayoral’s injury
Getafe striker Borja Mayoral, who has 15 league goals, had to delay his entry into his team’s 3-3 draw with Las Palmas due to an injury to his left leg. Getafe squandered a 2-0 and 3-2 lead. Munir El Haddadi scored a vital equalizer to seal Las Palmas’ victory.
