Bellingham’s winner is ruled out as the referee blows the final whistle with the ball in the air
JUDE BELLINGHAM’s dramatic winner for Real Madrid was ruled out because the referee had already blown his whistle.
The England star thought he had taken three points for Los Blancos in the 99e minute of their 2-2 draw against Valencia.
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Bellingham, 20, jumped highest in the penalty area and headed Brahim Diaz’s cross into the home side’s goal.
But his celebration was brutally cut short after he realized referee Jesus Gil Manzano had ended the match with the cross hanging in the air.
The furious Bellingham was even shown a red card for his angry protests as the referee left the Mestalla pitch.
Madrid’s former Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger was also sacked in the aftermath.
Manzano had initially signaled seven minutes of extra time after a lengthy delay due to a bizarre leg injury suffered by Valencia’s Mouctar Diakhaby.
That time had passed but Carlo Ancelotti’s side piled on the pressure in search of a winner and Manzano blew with Madrid’s attack in full swing.
The draw costs Bellingham and Co the chance to move nine points clear of surprise package Girona at the top of LaLiga.
And now talisman Bellingham – the league’s top scorer with 16 goals – will face a ban.
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Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni wasted no time in criticizing the officials on social media.
Just minutes after the whistle, the Frenchman wrote on X: “That’s embarrassing.”
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Valencia took the lead in the match and took the lead in the 27th minute through Hugo Duro.
Roman Yaremchuk doubled the lead moments later.
And it looked like Valencia was disappearing from view before Vinicius Jr pulled a goal back for Real on the stroke of half-time.
He then grabbed his second of the match in the 76th minute.
But the night of Vincius Jr. turned from joy to sadness after accidentally colliding with Valencia star Diakhaby.
The centre-back writhed in pain on the ground as medics rushed onto the pitch.
Some players appeared close to tears as it became clear he had suffered a horrific leg injury.
And he was eventually stretchered off the pitch before Bellingham’s dramatic late red card.