Controversy at Mestalla as Jude Bellingham Receives Red Card Following Disallowed Goal in Real Madrid’s Clash With Valencia

On the 1st of March, 2024, Real Madrid took on Valencia at the Mestalla stadium. The thrilling game ended 2-2 in the 99th minute when referee Gil Manzano blew the whistle controversially as a cross was being delivered into the box by Brahim Díaz,. Jude Bellingham then capitalized off this (something). But despite Jude’s best efforts, the referee, Gil Manzano, ruled out the game-winner entirely. After denying the goal, the Real Madrid players were not to be hushed and rushed directly towards the referee. As they irately spoke to the referee, the referee handed Jude Bellingham, the midfielder from Real Madrid who scored the denied game-winner, a red card after the game. 

To my belief, this call from the referee was egregious. Considering the fact that the Real Madrid players still had possession following the clearance from the Valencia players, it does not make sense that referee Gil Manzano called the whistle right as the cross was being delivered into the box by Brahim Díaz. Though the game-winner should have counted towards the final scoreline, the choice to give the red card is not to be commented on as we do not know the conversations that took place between the referee and Jude Bellingham. Although the whole situation is a mess, let's look at the highlights of this matchup before the drama flares up.

An image of referee Gil Manzano showing Jude Bellingham a red card after the end of the game between Real Madrid and Valencia.

Before the dissension, we were treated to a close affair between the two sides. Valencia went 2-0 up 45 minutes into the game with a goal from strikers Hugo Duro and Roman Yaremchuk on the 27th and 30th-minute marks. Before the end of the first half, Vinicius Junior was able to collect his first goal of the game in the course of the injury time in the first half, at the 45+5 minute mark. After the first half, the game slowed. For over 30 minutes, there was not a single goal until Vinicius Junior collected his brace after scoring a header inside the box with the assist of Brahim Díaz’s cross. With that, the game ended at 2-2, giving Real Madrid and Valencia 1 point each. Real Madrid are now sitting on a comfortable 7-point lead over league runners-up Girona. Valencia is still in jeopardy and requires 5 points to keep their European dreams for next season alive.

An image of Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior celebrating together following Vinicius Junior’s equalizer against Valencia

With Jude Bellingham being their superstar this season with a combined total of 20 goals and 8 assists throughout the 30 games he played this season across all competitions, Real Madrid will suffer from losing him. With Jude Bellingham also out of the Real Madrid starting squad for 2 matches and the team’s daunting injury list, their next fixtures will be challenging. As it stands currently, Real Madrid will play the next two fixtures without Jude Bellingham, David Alaba, Éder Militão, Thibuat Courtois, and Álvaro Carrillo. 

With so many big players out, Real Madrid must win their next two fixtures to stay on top of LaLiga. Real Madrid’s first game without Jude Bellingham will be against Celta Vigo, who are currently 5 points above the relegation zone. Followed by a game against Osasuna, who are currently directly in the middle of the table with 36 points. It’s safe to say that these games will have immense value, and a team like Real Madrid needs to win these games despite losing so many players in these adverse circumstances.

Works Cited

Butler, A. (2024). Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham gets 2-game ban for contempt toward referee - UPI.com. [online] UPI. Available at: https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/Soccer/2024/03/06/spain-Real-Madrid-Jude-Bellingham-ban-contempt-referee/2471709728877/.

Hindle, T. (2024). Real Madrid player ratings vs Valencia: Vinicius Junior has the last laugh! Brazilian bags vital brace in front of hostile crowd as Jude Bellingham returns in chaotic draw | Goal.com. [online] www.goal.com. Available at: https://www.goal.com/lists/real-madrid-player-ratings-vs-valencia-vinicius-jr-jude-bellingham/bltbc113df3036b87a2#cs8ef6f92d6ec4a7f7 [Accessed 7 Mar. 2024].