Bellingham gives Real Madrid late win at Valencia after Vinicius sees red

Jude Bellingham made amends for missing a penalty kick by giving 10-man Real Madrid a 2-1 victory at Valencia on Friday, moving his side to the top of the Spanish La Liga after winger Vinicius Junior was sent off.

Huro Duro put the hosts ahead in the first half of a feisty clash, but Luka Modric equalized for Carlo Ancelotti's side, before Bellingham pounced in stoppage time.

Vinicius, who squared off with Valencia supporters accused of racially abusing him at the same stadium in 2022, was dismissed for shoving the home team's goalkeeper, Stole Dimitrievski, in the back of the neck with a little over 10 minutes remaining.

Real were trailing at the time, but Bellingham set up veteran midfielder Modric to level in the 85th minute and spark a superb comeback.

Bellingham broke in to strike in the 96th minute after a Valencia defensive error, sending Madrid two points clear of capital rivals Atletico Madrid at the top of the table, having played a game more than Diego Simeone's team.

Ancelotti insisted he did not think Vinicius deserved a red card and was surprised by his team's poor start to the match.

"We didn't think it was a red card," Ancelotti said. "He went off and the team reacted, to the red, the missed penalty. It's hard to explain how badly we did in the first half and how well we did in the second, even with 10 men. It's three very important points, deserved, but we can't show these two sides of ourselves."

"Sorry and thanks team," posted Vinicius on social media after his squadmates spared his blushes.

Valencia's Luis Rioja struck the post with a vicious effort from distance in the 100th minute, inches away from snatching a last-gasp draw for his club.

Valencia, who have not won in La Liga since November, are four points from safety.