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Real Madrid criticised referee Jesus Gil Manzano’s decision to blow for full-time and deny Jude Bellingham’s a late winner in their 2-2 draw with Valencia on Saturday night.
The hosts had been pegged back by two second-half Vinicius Junior strikes after Hugo Duro and Roman Yaremchuk had given them a 2-0 lead by the half-hour mark.
Bellingham looked like he’d earned Los Blancos all three points when he headed in from close range six minutes into stoppage time, but official Gil Manzano ended the game before the cross had been delivered.
Bellingham, who returned to the starting XI after three weeks out through injury, was then shown a red card for protesting the decision.
Following the game, Madrid insisted they ‘deserved’ to win the game.
A post on their website reads: “An unprecedented refereeing decision by Gil Manzano prevented Real Madrid’s victory against Valencia at Mestalla. With the score at 2-2 and in the last play of the game, Brahim [Diaz] crossed into the area and Bellingham finished off with a header making it 2-3. But the referee annulled the goal by signalling the end of the match when the Malaga native’s pass went through the air.
“The league leaders deserved the three points, but added only one in a match that they were losing 2-0. Two goals from Vini[cius] Junior tied the duel, finally resolved with the decision of Gil Manzano.”
Carlo Ancelotti’s side still hold a seven-point advantage over Girona at the top of La Liga, though their title rivals and third-placed Barcelona can reduce the gap with wins on Sunday.
While Bellingham will now be suspended for their next league game against Celta Vigo, the England international will be available for the second leg of Madrid’s Champions League last-16 tie with RB Leipzig on Wednesday night.
