Vinicius Jr Jude Bellingham Real Madrid 2023-24Getty

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

In nearly 100 minutes of chaotic football, Vinicius Junior's double proved to be crucial, as the Brazilian bagged a brace to snatch a 2-2 draw with a resilient Valencia side on Saturday. The two sides played out an absurd matchup, full of controversy, excellent goals and defensive errors.

Valencia struck first, Hugo Duro flicking a clever header into the far corner after a mistake from Vinicius gave the home side the ball in a dangerous area. They added a second two minutes later, with Roman Yaremchuk rounding Andriy Lunin following a woeful backpass from Dani Carvajal.

Vinicius pulled one back on the stroke of half time, turning it into an empty net after the Valencia defence failed to deal with a bobbling Carvajal cross. Bellingham nearly knotted the score after 53 minutes, but a smart stop denied him after an impressive run. Vinicius wasn't denied 20 minutes later, though, nodding into an open net after a fine piece of setup play from substitute Brahim Diaz.

Valencia thought they had a clear chance to win it, when the referee awarded them a late penalty, only to see a VAR check amend the decision. In the craziest end to a topsy-turvy evening, Bellingham had the ball in the net late in stoppage time, but the final whistle blew mere seconds before he nodded the ball home. It was a fitting conclusion to a frankly bizarre La Liga contest.

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Mestalla...

  • Goalkeeper & Defence

    Andriy Lunin (6/10):

    Helpless on the Valencia opener. Couldn't do much about the second, either. Made some important stops late on.

    Dani Carvajal (4/10):

    An awfully under-hit backpass gifted Valencia their second. Not much better otherwise.

    Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):

    A bit erratic in the first half, but made some crucial interventions in the second. Appears to have been involved in a horrific leg injury - an unfortunate blemish on his evening.

    Antonio Rudiger (6/10):

    Same as his centre-back partner in the first half - despite being the more experienced of the two. Better after the break, though, especially in possession.

    Ferland Mendy (6/10):

    A quiet one. Most of the Valencia threat came down the other wing.

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  • Midfield

    Toni Kroos (6/10):

    Typically steady as the choreographer in midfield - although he did give it away once or twice. His influenced waned, and he was removed at the right time.

    Federico Valverde (7/10):

    Never stopped running, and put out fires all over the pitch.

    Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):

    Did all of the scrappy stuff well. Completed 97% of his passes.

    Jude Bellingham (7/10):

    A bit rusty in the early goings of his return. But still went on some magical runs, and was a couple of saves away from winning the game. Denied a winner by an untimely final whistle, and was sent off for his protestations.

  • Attack

    Rodrygo (5/10):

    Almost got himself in trouble with a silly foul early. Technically awarded an assist for Vinicius' goal, but didn't have much of an impact.

    Vinicius Jr (8/10):

    Booed every time he touched the ball. Made a mistake in the run-up to Valencia's opener. Redeemed himself with an important goal before half time. Bagged a second after the break. Always there when Madrid need him - and in a stadium where he was racially abused a season ago.

  • Subs & Manager

    Brahim Diaz (7/10):

    Lively when he came on. Assisted Vinicius' second.

    Luka Modric (6/10):

    Composed in central areas. Brought a sense of calm.

    Joselu (5/10):

    Didn't make much of an impact.

    Fran Garcia (6/10):

    Made a game saving tackle in stoppage time.

    Nacho (N/A):

    No time to make an impact.

    Carlo Ancelotti (6/10):

    What can he make of this? Madrid were excellent at times, poor at others, and sluggish for most of it. He got his selection right, but a mixture of individual errors, a raucous crowd and bad luck saw him forced to settle for a draw.