Vinicius Sent Off: A Controversial Incident in Valencia-Real Madrid Match

A High-Tension Match

On Friday night, Mestalla witnessed a dramatic episode during the rescheduled La Liga matchday 12 fixture between Valencia and Real Madrid. Vinicius Junior, the Brazilian forward for Los Blancos, made headlines for a moment of frustration that led to his direct dismissal. Despite this setback, Real Madrid managed to overturn the match and secure a 2-1 victory, reclaiming the top spot in the league.

The Incident: Rising Tensions

Everything escalated in the 75th minute. Vinicius, inside the penalty area, believed he was fouled by Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski and called for a penalty. However, he appeared to be in an offside position. The referee allowed play to continue, but tempers flared.

As both players got back to their feet, Dimitrievski lightly tapped Vinicius on the back of the head. The Brazilian, visibly enraged, retaliated by pushing his opponent in the face. The altercation quickly led to a heated confrontation between players from both sides.

VAR Review and Expulsion

To assess the situation, referee Cesar Soto Grado consulted VAR while tensions continued to rise on the pitch. Several players were cautioned, including Dimitrievski and Lucas Vazquez, who each received yellow cards. After reviewing the footage, the referee made his decision: Vinicius was shown a red card.

Furious, Vinicius initially refused to leave the field. It took the intervention of the coaching staff and some teammates to escort him off and prevent further incidents.

Real Madrid Triumphs Against the Odds

Despite being reduced to ten men, Real Madrid refused to back down. Substitute Luka Modric equalized in the 85th minute, giving his team renewed hope. Then, in stoppage time, Jude Bellingham netted the winning goal, securing a crucial victory that propelled Real Madrid to the top of the table ahead of Atlético Madrid.

Vinicius’ Apology

Following the final whistle, Vinicius took to social media to apologize. On his X (formerly Twitter) account, he posted a short but clear message: “Sorry and thank you to the team.” His public apology might help ease tensions, but it does not negate the disciplinary consequences of his actions.

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