Vinicius Junior began the night time with a reminder of his Ballon d’Or heartbreak, however ended it by reminding Manchester Metropolis why Actual Madrid have such a robust report within the Champions League.
Actual Madrid twice got here from behind earlier than snatching a dramatic stoppage time winner of their 3-2 play-off spherical first leg victory over Premier League champions Metropolis on Tuesday.
Dwelling followers displayed an enormous banner with an image of Metropolis midfielder Rodri Hernandez holding the Ballon d’Or, which he gained in October 2024 forward of Vinicius.
Actual Madrid reacted angrily, refusing to attend the ceremony.
“Cease crying your coronary heart out” Metropolis’s banner chided the Spanish giants, giving a nod to a music of the identical identify by Manchester band Oasis.
Nonetheless it was Metropolis who ended the night time in tears after Jude Bellingham stabbed dwelling a late winner, arrange by Vinicius.
Kylian Mbappe levelled for Madrid after Erling Haaland despatched them forward, and Brahim Diaz snatched an 86th minute equaliser after the Norwegian netted his second from the penalty spot.
Vinicius and Bellingham mixed for Madrid’s third within the 92nd minute, sealing one other late comeback win for a aspect who’ve made a behavior of them in Europe.
The Metropolis fan group who organised the banner mentioned it was geared toward Actual Madrid chief Florentino Perez.
The house followers actually had Vinicius of their sights although. “The place’s your Ballon d’Or?” jeered supporters on the Brazilian winger.
Vinicius responded within the second by pointing on the badge on his sleeve, the quantity 15 representing Actual Madrid’s report variety of European Cup triumphs.
– ‘Extra power’ –
Nonetheless Vinicius’ handiest reply got here on the pitch.
The ahead’s shot was saved with Diaz turning dwelling the rebound to tie the sport at 2-2, earlier than he helped engineer Madrid’s winner on the night time.
Vinicius burst into the realm, lofting the ball previous the onrushing Ederson, with Bellingham capable of flip dwelling from shut vary.
“I noticed the banner, however each time opposition followers do issues (like that) it provides me extra power to have an excellent sport, and right here I did that,” Vinicius informed Movistar.
“They know our historical past, all the things we have finished on this competitors.”
It was not a classic Vinicius show, though his persistent probing down the left was nonetheless sufficient to earn the person of the match award.
Not somebody to let one thing go, Vinicius can be scenting blood within the second leg on the Santiago Bernabeu subsequent Wednesday, though he mentioned the workforce comes above people.
“It would not matter who scores the objectives or is the MVP, we’re right here to do nice issues for this shirt and put Madrid on the very best rung potential,” he continued.
“There is a lengthy option to go within the second leg, we’ve got to defend how we defended at present and our followers need to be with us to make a magical night time.”
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