Why Jude Bellingham was sent off after last-minute disallowed goal as Real Madrid draw 2-2 with Valencia

Laliga: Jude Bellingham was shown a red card in the 99th minute of Real Madrid's clash against Valencia

Soccer Football - LaLiga - Valencia v Real Madrid - Mestalla, Valencia, Spain - March 2, 2024 Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham is shown a red card by referee Jesus Gil Manzano after the match as coach Carlo Ancelotti looks on REUTERS/Pablo Morano

After a bizarre chain of events the game between Valencia and Real Madrid on Saturday ended up from an absorbing one to a controversial match in the added time when Los Blancos mid-fielder Jude Bellingham thought he scored a header and helped the team win 3-2 but the goal was disallowed as the referee has already blown his whistle before Luka Modric has crossed the ball to Bellingham.

Bellingham furiously went to the referee and the player was shown a red card by referee Gil Manzano. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti would later clarify “He didn’t insult the referee. He was respectful. He spoke in English and just said: ‘It was a f***ing goal.”

The club too took a dig at the referee in their match report on the official website. “An unprecedented refereeing decision by Gil Manzano prevented Real Madrid from beating Valencia at Mestalla.”

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“The La Liga leaders deserved all three points, but had to settle for a point after coming back from 2-0 down. Two goals from Vini Jr. tied the match, which was finally settled by Gil Manzano’s decision.” the report would further quote.

However according to the publication Mirror Laliga co-commentator Graham Hunter would back the referee and say the decision made was right. “It (the whistle) had gone before the ball gets played in, it was loud enough to hear over the clamor,” Hunter said.

“In this instance, Madrid can complain all they want, but the whistle had gone. At half-time, it was Valencia roaring (when the whistle was blown). This is wrong. The referee is not obliged to wait because there’s a good chance of coming.

Vincius’s brace saves the day for Los Blancos

Earlier Vinicius Jr scored a brace to help Real Madrid fight back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw. Real moved to 66 points in the standings, seven points ahead of second-placed Girona who have a game in hand at Mallorca on Sunday. Barcelona are third on 57 points. Valencia is ninth with 37 points.