Vinicius Jr sees red as Real Madrid slump to loss as Valencia earn huge La Liga survival boost with Diego Lopez winner
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Updated 21/05/2023 at 19:56 GMT
Diego Lopez scored his first goal for Valencia on Sunday and it might be the most important of his career, as it gave his side a 1-0 home win against Real Madrid in La Liga. The win lifts them to 13th in the league table with three matches remaining in the league campaign, and they can be relatively optimistic that they have done enough to survive this year.
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Real Madrid slumped to a 1-0 defeat at Valencia as the home side gave themselves a huge boost in their bid for La Liga survival.
Valencia started the match just two points above the bottom three after a dreadful season that has threatened to see them relegated.
Real meanwhile have also had a disappointing campaign by their standards. They gave up their Liga crown to arch-rivals Barcelona, who have been reinvigorated under Xavi Hernandez.
Carlo Ancelotti, who earlier this week claimed he would remain in post for next year despite speculation that he will be replaced, also saw his team knocked out of the Champions League after a drubbing by Manchester City in the second leg of the semi-final.
They are not even guaranteed second place after a resurgence from Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, who are one spot ahead of them in second spot.
A win for Valencia took them into 13th spot, and gives them a healthy chance of staying up given the number of clubs now below them.
They had Diego Lopez to thank for the win as he struck just after the half-hour mark, sliding in at the far post to put the home side in front, and they held onto their lead until full-time.
While it was Lopez’s first goal for Valencia, it may prove to be the most important no matter how many more he scores.
There was late controversy as Vinicius Jr. was sent off in injury time after appearing to catch Hugo Duro with a forearm in a melee of players.
Per a report from the BBC: “Vincius Junior was sent off late in Real Madrid's loss at Valencia after being subjected to racist chants from fans at the Mestalla.
"The 22-year-old was dismissed for the first time in his career for violent conduct on 97 minutes after an altercation with Hugo Duro.
"Earlier in the game, an incensed Vinicius attempted to bring a Valencia fan to the referee's attention.”
Valencia’s next match is a trip to Mallorca on Thursday evening, while Real host Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday night.
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