Vinicius Junior apologized after being sent off in Real Madrid’s 2-1 comeback win over Valencia in their first La Liga match of 2025 on Friday.
Hugo Duro put Valencia ahead in the first half at the Mestalla Stadium before Jude Bellingham missed a penalty (hitting the post) and Kylian Mbappé in an eventful second period. ) scored a goal that was disallowed for offside.
Vinicius was shown a red card for attacking Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, substitute Luka Modric equalized for Madrid in the 85th minute and Bellingham scored a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
As a result, Madrid topped the La Liga standings, ahead of Atletico Madrid, two points ahead of their rivals and having played one more game.
“I’m sorry and thank you team!!!!!!” Vinicius posted on X after the game.
The Brazil international was furious when he received a red card in the 79th minute and was stopped by team-mate Antonio Rudiger and goalkeeping coach Luis Joppis from confronting referee Cesar Soto Grado.
“We think it was two yellow cards, not a red card,” manager Carlo Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference. “The team was able to respond to the missed penalties and disallowed goals. It’s hard to explain how bad the first half was and how good the second half was… You can’t show these two faces.”
Vinicius has only been sent off twice for Real Madrid, both times at Mestalla. He also received a red card in Madrid’s 1–0 loss to Valencia on 21 May 2023, in which he confronted home fans for previously racially abusing him.
“We will appeal (the dismissal),” Ancelotti said. “I don’t know if they will accept it. We don’t think it was a red. … It was a touch from Dimitrievski and a push from Vini. I think two yellows would have been enough… I think (Vini) will play the next game. “I don’t know if he can, but let’s hope he’s still a decisive player for us.”
Bellingham’s missed penalty was Madrid’s third failure to score this season after Mbappe failed to score against Liverpool and Athletic Club.
“It’s frustrating that we missed three penalties,” Ancelotti said. “I have to choose who I take.”
England star Bellingham had an outstanding performance, providing a pass for Mbappe’s disallowed goal and Modric’s equalizer before netting a goal of his own in the 95th minute to give his side the win.
“He played a great game,” Ancelotti said. “The missed penalty gave him extra motivation. His last 20 minutes showed what he can do. (The goal) was reward for the game he played.”
