Real Madrid’s Vinicius Junior was sent off after pushing Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski

Vinicius Junior was sent off in the second half of Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Valencia after an offside push on opposition goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.

After receiving a red card in the 79th minute following a review of the incident on the pitch, the 24-year-old appeared to raise his arm towards referee Cesar Soto Grado but was restrained by some of his team-mates and members of Madrid’s staff.

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said at full-time that the club intends to appeal the decision.

Vinicius Jr was targeted with several chants by the home supporters at the Mestalla, who chanted “Vinicius, beach ball” or “fool”.

In his final act of the game, the forward had an effort on goal blocked by defender Dimitri Foulquier before shoving Dimitrievski squarely in the face. The Valencia goalkeeper fell to the floor and clutched his face.

(Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

He later took to social media to apologise, writing to X shortly after full-time: “Sorry and thanks team.”

“We will appeal Vini’s red card,” Ancelotti said during his post-match press conference.

It is the second time in his career that Vinicius Jr. will be sent off in Valencia’s Mestalla. In May 2023, he was the victim of mass racist abuse at the same stadium. Vinicius Jr. was sent off in half-time after a melee, but this was subsequently overturned following a review by the Spanish Football Federation’s competition committee.

Madrid came from a goal down to beat Valencia 2-1 on Friday thanks to Jude Bellingham’s 95th-minute winner.

(Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)