TCheers returned to Vincius Junior at the Santiago Bernabé after the Real Madrid forward scored twice in Sunday’s Madrid derby against Atlético Madrid, winning 3-2 and keeping his team in the race for the La Liga title.
Vincius had to endure jeers from Madrid fans earlier this season following the sacking of manager Xabi Alonso and some embarrassing defeats.
However, as his results improved, so did Vincius’ reputation with Madrid supporters. After a humiliating 5-2 defeat in September, Madrid reached high praise under new manager Rubaro Arbeloa with a win over Atlético and an elimination of Josep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League.
And Vincius, along with midfielder Federico Valverde, helped lead Madrid in the absence of stars Kylian Mbapp and Jude Bellingham through injury, so it’s no wonder he’s getting some credit for the side’s recent improvement.
Vincius canceled out Atlético’s Ademola Lookman’s first-half lead with a penalty in the 52nd minute, before Madrid’s fleet-footed forward sealed the winner with a curling shot in the 72nd minute.
Arbeloa said: “Another great game from Vini. It was an example of his character and talent. It was a great goal that gave us the win in a difficult situation. We are lucky to have him in our team.” “We remain in the league. Mission accomplished.”
Remarkably, it was Vincius’ first goal against Atlético in La Liga after 12 games without a goal in the derby. He had previously scored once, against Atlético in the Copa del Rey.
“I’ve worked hard all season for games like this,” Vincius said. “I don’t know why, but at this stage of the season, the goals and assists just keep on coming.”
Valverde scored to make it 2-1 before Nahuel Molina scored Atlético’s equaliser, but Madrid had to hang on for the final 12 minutes, receiving a direct red card for a harsh challenge on Alex Baena, who accused Valverde of assault after the match.
Madrid almost suffered a red card with 10 minutes remaining when a free Flynn Lebarez hit the post.
However, Coach Arbeloa’s team made sure to watch until the very end to ensure that second-place Madrid remained within four points of Barcelona with nine games remaining.
Vincius Junior wins the derby
Lookman has scored five goals since joining Atletico from Atalanta in the winter transfer window, with coach Giuliano Simeone using a fine touch to free the Nigeria international striker for his 33rd goal.
Madrid had to wait until after the break to immediately turn things around. Vincius scored the equalizer from the spot after Brahim Daz was fouled by David Hanko inside the penalty area. Valverde then stole the ball from Jos Gimnes in the 55th minute to make it 2-1, adding to his recent hat-trick against City and extending his scoring streak to three games in a row.
It looked like it was over for Atlético, but Molina came on as a substitute in the 66th minute and hit a long hit, allowing Vincius to restore Madrid’s advantage for good. As Spanish tennis great Rafael Nadal cheered from the VIP section of the Santiago Bernab, he scored the winning goal from the left wing.
“We could have done more offensively and I hope that will help us in the important games ahead,” coach Diego Simeone said, referring to Atletico’s upcoming Champions League quarter-finals against Barcelona and Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad.
Bellingham played the final 15 minutes in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring in February.
Mbappu was recovering from a knee injury and came on in the 64th minute.
Both teams were without their top goalkeepers, injured between the posts. Andriy Lunin started for Madrid in place of Thibaut Courtois, while Juan Musso started in place of Atlético’s Jan Oblak.
