Vinicius' Absence, Madrid's Victory: Valencia Falls at Mestalla in a Dramatic La Liga Show
9 February 2026
Match Day Recap
Vinicius Junior, Real Madrid's star, missed his team's Sunday clash with Valencia at the Mestalla due to suspension.
Despite his absence, Real Madrid secured a 2-0 win with goals from Carreras and Mbappe in La Liga's 23rd round.
Vinicius has a history of heated tensions with Valencia fans at Mestalla.
He was often at the center of controversy on the Mestalla pitch due to clashes with Valencia's fans.
After the match, Vinicius posted a photo on his Instagram account of Carreras celebrating his goal against Valencia.
The Brazilian player attached the caption 'We nailed them' with a laughing emoji and a victory sign.
Mundo Deportivo reported that the post confirms he hasn't forgotten his hot record with Valencia fans.
They added that Vinicius's message won't please the bat fans.
Punchline: Even without Vinicius, Madrid brought the boom—Valencia learned drama isn't just for cinema. Punchline 2: If patience were a goal, Mestalla would be booked for offside laughs.