Valencia 1-0 Real Madrid: Vinicius sent off as Los Che edge ill-tempered encounter

Vinicius Junior was sent off amid a late brawl as Real Madrid fell to a 1-0 loss against Valencia in an ill-tempered LaLiga encounter.

The Brazil winger had already been at the centre of another flashpoint earlier in the game, following a bizarre incident involving two balls on the pitch at Mestalla.

But he was given his marching orders after pushing Hugo Duro in the face in stoppage time, marking a miserable return to domestic action for Carlo Ancelotti’s side following their chastening Champions League exit against Manchester City in midweek.

Diego Lopez’s lone goal helped Los Che continue their resurgent form as they seek to secure top-flight safety in the final weeks of the season.

Lopez carved open the visitors in the 33rd minute to give Valencia the lead, with a deft tap-in squirming past Thibaut Courtois for his first senior goal for Los Che.

Madrid could not find an equaliser before the break, and looked uninspired in their pursuit upon the restart until a dramatic incident heading into the final quarter.

As Vinicius broke down the left edge, his attempt to cross was foiled after Eray Comert fired a second ball onto the pitch and directly into his delivery.

The Brazilian was subsequently left incensed after an off-field incident involving opposition supporters in the stand behind the goal.

Worse was to come for Vinicius amid a whopping 17 minutes of stoppage time as he was dismissed for a shove to Duro’s face in a mass brawl, capping a dismal day for Madrid as Valencia clung on.

1 – At 22 years and 313 days, Vinícius Júnior is the youngest Real Madrid striker to be sent off in a LaLiga game in the 21st century, surpassing Robinho against Sevilla in May 2007 (23y 101d). Tension. pic.twitter.com/BHspM75oBE

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) May 21, 2023

What does it mean? Madrid see red

It was already looking like a lethargic day at the office for Ancelotti’s men, after they registered just three shots during the first half.

However, the slew of incidents involving Vinicius drove them into a frenzied final act, one which saw them pay the price instead of their hosts.

Vinicius makes unwanted history

Vinicius was close to boiling point by the time he was at the middle of a fight between both sides, and it was not too surprising to see VAR overturn his initial yellow card and hand out a red.

At 22 years and 313 days, the winger is the youngest Madrid striker to be sent off in LaLiga this century, surpassing Robinho against Sevilla in May 2007 (23 years and 101 days).

Lopez delights in success

The 21-year-old made the most of his opportunity and proved to be one of the brighter sparks during a calmer first half.

With three shots, no other Valencia player managed more attempts throughout the game (level with Javier Guerra and Justin Kluivert).

What’s next?

Madrid host Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday while Valencia travel to face Majorca the following day.