Vinicius Jr was the hero of the hour upon his return to the Mestalla a season after suffering racist abuse in Valencia as he bagged a brace to complete a two-goal comeback for Real Madrid on Saturday night.
2023/2024 La Liga
2-2
Match Report
Hugo Duro opened the scoring for the hosts in the 27th minute, heading the ball past Andriy Lunin, and Valencia only had to wait two more minutes to double their lead, courtesy of Yaremchuk's left-footed strike, and take the wind out of Madrid's sails.
But the visitors were able to rally before the half-time whistle, Vinicius' strike coming moments ahead of the break - with the Los Blancos starlet pulling out a pointed goal celebration which saw him raise one fist in the air in a Black Power salute.
The Brazil international continued to threaten after half-time, before claiming his second in the 76th minute.
Real Madrid clung on through a late penalty scare in the seven minutes of extra time which saw Nacho foul Duro, only for VAR to overturn the on-pitch call, and edge seven points clear at the top of the table.
Match Events
27' Duro, who flicks home Fran Perez's cross! Valencia 1-0 Real Madrid
30' Carvajal's error allowed Yaremchuk to round Lunin and finish it, Valencia 2-0 RM
50' Vini finishes from close range after a cross from Carvajal, Valencia 2-1 Madrid
76' GOAL! Valencia 2-2 Real Madrid (Vinicius Junior)
Line-ups
Valencia XI: Foulquier, Gaya, Roman Yaremchuk, Sergi Canós, Diakhaby, Pepelu, Hugo Duro, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Fran Pérez, Cristhian Mosquera, Javi Guerra
Subs: Domenech, Selim Amallah, Almeida, Cristian Rivero, Hugo Guillamón, Correia, Cenk Özkacar, Jesús Vázquez, Alberto Marí, Diego López, Peter Federico, Yarek Gasiorowski
Real Madrid XI: Kroos, Carvajal, Rudiger, F Mendy, Valverde, Andriy Lunin, Aurélien Tchouaméni, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham
Subs: Modric, Joselu, Nacho, Kepa, Vazquez, Ceballos, Brahim, Fran García, Arda Güler, Fran González