Real Madrid came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw away at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium, extending their unbeaten away run in La Liga to 10 games in the process. But there is a lot more to this Saturday night match than pure stats.While Real have staked their claim for the title in recent weeks, closest rivals Girona refuse to go away, making this another crucial clash for the visitors. However, after an innocuous start to the game, they found themselves two goals down in a matter of minutes. The opener came rather fortuitously, as Fran Pérez’s skewed shot from Dimitri Foulquier’s cross found Hugo Duro in loads of space just outside the six-yard box. Given the speed at which the ball came to him, Duro still had a lot to do, but he reacted quickly to direct the ball into the bottom corner.Los Blancos were perhaps unfortunate to fall behind, but Los Che’s second strike was of their own doing. Dani Carvajal’s pass towards Andriy Lunin lacked plenty of power, allowing Roman Yaremchuk to intercept and go around his Ukrainian countryman before slotting into an empty net. The visitors initially offered nothing offensively, but after Federico Valverde had tested Giorgi Mamardashvili with a low drive, Carlo Ancelotti’s men halved the deficit on the stroke of halftime. Valencia’s decision to forbid part of a Vinícius Júnior documentary to be filmed at the Mestalla made the headline this weekend – the Brazilian was subject to racist abuse on his last visit here – and the forward provided the perfect response, tapping home Carvajal’s deflected cross.After the interval, both sides had fantastic opportunities to find the back of the net again. First, Jude Bellingham worked himself some space in the penalty area, only to see his shot kept out by Mamardashvili’s left leg before Diego López’s first-time attempt was blocked to safety by Lunin. Brahim Díaz then directed an effort narrowly wide of the post, but he proved decisive shortly after. It was his perfectly weighted ball that found Vinícius unmarked at the back post, allowing the forward to head into an empty net and complete the comeback – even if a lengthy VAR review threatened to end the celebrations.Following a small lull in proceedings, the action – some of it unwelcome – returned. A few minutes before the end of normal time, Aurélien Tchouaméni and Mouctar Diakhaby were involved in a sickening, albeit totally accidental, collision that left the latter needing to be stretchered off the field. Then, in the first minute of stoppage time, Valencia were awarded a penalty for a foul from Fran García on Duro, only for it to be overturned by referee Jésus Gil Manzano following a trip to the pitchside monitor.Shocking injury to Mouctar Diakhaby during the Valencia-Real Madrid match sends Mestalla into total turmoil. Get well soon 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/n0NndaIJn1— All Sportz 🏀⚽ (@Allsportztv) March 2, 2024 A player from Real Madrid pulled an opponent down, forcing the referee to blow his whistle. The referee points to the penalty spot. It’s a penalty for Valencia! pic.twitter.com/4apqg62DKK— Bright (@See_No_See) March 2, 2024 In one last twist, Manzano blew the final whistle just as Díaz crossed for Bellingham, who headed into the corner. Unsurprisingly, Madrid were livid, with the Englishman even receiving a red card for his protests after full time. The result means Girona have the chance to move within four points of Ancelotti and Co. if they win away at Mallorca on Sunday. While Valencia may well have taken a point prior to kick-off, they will be disappointed to secure it in the manner they ultimately did.Crazy scenes at Valencia! 🤯 Referee blew the whistle as the ball was crossed by Real Madrid, and Bellingham scored off the header 😱 Seconds, the difference between 3 points and 1. Madrid players were absolutely fuming 😤 pic.twitter.com/f9eAy4GkFZ— Fantasy5 (@Fantasy5Jackpot) March 2, 2024 LA LIGAFriday Celta – Almeria 1-0 (0-0)/Mingueza 83/SaturdaySevilla – Sociedad 3-2 (2-1)/En Nesyri 11, 13, Ramos 65 – SIlva 45+5, Mendez 90+2/Rayo Vallecano – Cadiz 1-1 (0-0)/Lejeune 88 – Hernandez 90+12/Getafe – Las Palmas 3-3 (3-1)/Mata 11, Greenwood 14, Maksimovic 45 – Ramirez 35, Cardona 50, Munir 57/Valencia – Real Madrid 2-2 (2-1)/Duro 27, Yaremchuk 30 – Vinicius 45+5, 76/Sunday 16.00: (1.65) Villareal (3.70) Granada (5.60)18.15: (1.60) Atl.Madrid (4.10) Betis (6.25)20.30: (3.30) Mallorca (3.35) Girona (2.35)23.00: (3.00) Ath.Bilbao (3.50) Barcelona (2.45)Monday23.00: (2.40) Osasuna (3.10) Alaves (3.20)***odds are subject to change
