Madrid and Vallecano faced off in a measured duel that kept fans on edge. The premonition of a hero’s moment lingered as banners and gestures tried to frame the game as a stand against racism. After the ball rolled, Benzema opened the scoring with a first-half goal. In the closing phase, a precise finish from Rodrygo and a well-crafted play by Vinícius Jr. sealed a well-earned home victory that carried a preseason flavor on the scoreboard.
Vinícius Jr. stood in the penalty area to the right of Florentino Pérez as the match sent a clear message: there is no place for racism in Spanish football. The moment demanded more than words; it required facts, judgments, and sanctions to move from symbolic gestures to concrete action. The atmosphere shifted between festive and solemn, with two teams delivering compelling moments and plenty of chances while Madrid pressed to secure a result and Vallecano pushed to stay competitive in the league standings.
Benzema’s goal
Ancelotti sent out a hybrid starting XI featuring familiar names like Benzema, Modrić, Rodrygo, Kroos, and Valverde, with Rudiger filling in at left-back. Vallecano lined up with its strongest available lineup in a bid to chase European football’s late-season dream. The game opened with an open, aggressive tempo, full of end-to-end action. Both goalkeepers, Courtois and Dimitrievski, were tested, creating moments of tension and saves that kept the crowd engaged. About half an hour in, Kroos found a smart dribble to create space and then fed a clean pass to Valverde and Benzema. The pair combined to pierce the defense, and Benzema finished past the goalkeeper to put Madrid ahead as the Vallecano crowd erupted in a mix of protest and support as the half progressed.
The second half maintained Madrid’s composed but intense rhythm. The match carried a relaxed, confident mood rather than relentless pressure, reflecting the teams’ positions as they closed in on the season. Madrid aimed to secure second place behind Atlético, while Vallecano battled to protect European ambitions and avoid slipping into lower targets in the league table.
Orphans of the joy of Vinícius
Minutes 20. The stadium rose to applaud Vinícius Jr. The moment underscored a broader message that football stands against racism and supports players in their right to play without fear or intimidation. The social and sporting dialog around the match highlighted the ongoing struggle to translate good intentions into enforceable action on and off the pitch, an issue the sport continues to address as a community.
There were several visits to the attacking zones, but clear chances remained scarce. Madrid’s rhythm thrived on the ball presented to Modrić or Rodrygo, with Vallecano’s Álvaro García and Trejo contributing intensity as the minutes wore on. The tension in Vallecas reflected the duel’s stakes, with both Ancelotti and Iraola deeply involved in the tactical and psychological chess match as the game moved toward its end.
Ceballos and Asensio’s introduction added energy to Madrid’s forward line, yet Vallecano’s goalkeeper stayed largely untroubled as the ball simply moved around in midfield. The endgame saw a cautious but decisive Madrid triumph. Rodrygo’s late counterattack finished with a powerful strike from between Tchouameni’s legs in the 82nd minute, equalizing a moment for the visitors and catalyzing renewed intent from Madrid. A few minutes later, Rodrygo delivered another decisive contribution to seal the contest. The home side meshed a personal and collective effort that handed them the win, even without the full force of Vinícius’s usual attacking spark on the day.