In great form before the Christmas holidays, since he even ended the year by scoring in Real Madrid’s last four matches (notably in the Champions League against Atalanta and in the final of the Intercontinental Cup), Kylian Mbappé n The momentum did not continue on Friday evening in Valencia. The French phenomenon lacked success in the lair of Mestalla, but the Merengues still snatched an unexpected victory in added time (1-2), at 10 against 11 against the catastrophic Chés this season (penultimate in the classification).
Mbappé was in good shape. He first won a penalty at the start of the second half. Dazzling, he was mowed down by César Tarrega (53rd). But Jude Bellingham, first shooter this Friday, hit the Valencian post (55th)! In the process, Mbappé was launched by the English attacking midfielder and hooked Stole Dimitrievski to send the ball into the back of the net with a supersonic sequence (60th). But viewing the images revealed an offside of a few centimeters and the main referee logically refused the goal.
Mbappé silent, Vinicius excluded!
It was neither Kylian Mbappé nor Vinicius who played the heroes for the champion of Spain and Europe. “Vini” was indeed given a red card 10 minutes from the end after a bad move on the opposing goalkeeper (79th). Responding to a provocation from Dimitrievski, the Brazilian winger stupidly pushed the Macedonian goalkeeper in the neck. The video referee called the main referee for a suspension. Outnumbered, Real thus snatched a success with forceps. Luka Modric equalized on a small delivery from Bellingham (85th) and the English midfielder, after a terrible loss of the ball from a Valencian, scored the winning goal in added time (90th + 6)!
Real thus takes the lead with two points ahead of Atlético (and therefore one more match). The Colchoneros will resume in the league with a match against Osasuna next week. Carlo Ancelotti’s team continues with its 16th final of the Copa del Rey against a D4 team next Monday, and the semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia against Mallorca on Thursday. Then a possible final against the winner of Bilbao-Barça.
