Real Madrid’s struggles persist as they suffer a late 1-0 defeat to Valencia, with Diego Lopez’s first-half goal proving the difference, following a heavy loss to Man City. Adding to their woes, Vinicius Jr was shown a red card for striking Hugo Duro, shortly after alleging racial abuse.

Valencia secured a crucial victory over Real Madrid on Sunday, with Diego Lopez finding the back of the net in the first half. The win helped Valencia distance themselves from the relegation zone. Unfortunately, the match was marred by incidents of racist chanting, and Vinicius Jr was sent off after allegedly striking Hugo Duro, who he claimed had racially abused him.

With three games to go, Valencia are 13th in LaLiga on 40th points, five clear of the relegation spots. Real, who played are third on 71 points, 14 behind champions Barcelona, who secured the title last week with four games to spare.

Real had nothing to play for after exiting the Champions League following a 4-0 thrashing at Manchester City on Wednesday in their semi-final, second leg.

Diego Lopez scored the only goal as Valencia secured a 1-0 victory against Real Madrid

Valencia’s victory boosts their chances of avoiding relegation from LaLiga this season

Vinicius Jr was angry as he pointed out that a fan in the crowd had racially abused him

MATCH FACTS

Valencia: Mamardashvili, Correia (Lato 68), Ozkacar, Comert, Gaya (Musah 90), Gonzalez, Guerra, Lopez (Foulquier 58), Almeida, Kluivert (Duro 90), Cavani (Lino 58)

Subs: Domenech, Castillejo, Mosquera, Perez, Vazquez, Mari, Guillamon

Goal: Lopez 30

Booked: Mamardashvili, Comert, Kluivert, Musah

Real Madrid: Courtois, Vazquez, Militao, Rudiger, Mendy (Carvajal 86), Ceballos (Kroos 65), Tchouameni (Valverde 86), Camavinga (Rodrygo 46), Asensio (Modric 65), Benzema, Vinicius Jr

Subs: Lunin, Vallejo, Alaba, Nacho, Odriozola, Luis Lopez

Booked: Rodrygo, Modric

Sent off: Vinicius Jr

Valencia, however, are still fighting to avoid the drop and found the net in the 33rd minute when Lopez scored from close range.

Real played the last few minutes with 10 men after Vinicius Jr was sent off following a scuffle with Valencia players.

The Brazilian winger had faced racist chants from fans at the Mestalla, which led to the game being halted for a few minutes in the second half.

Vinicius Jr was sent off after he struck Valencia’s Hugo Duro, with a melee taking place

Vinicius Jr is restrained by his Real Madrid team-mates Thibaut Courtois and Antonio Rudiger

There was a melee between both sets of players in the closing stages of the game