Rodrygo scored an 89th-minute winner as Real Madrid defeated Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in a Spanish league match marked by tributes to Madrid ahead Vinícius Júnior on Wednesday.

It was Madrid’s first recreation because the newest case of racial abuse towards Vinícius, who thought of leaving the sphere Sunday after being insulted by Valencia followers.

Rodrygo celebrated by elevating his proper fist above his head in a stance towards racism. He devoted the objective to his Brazil teammate.

“We’ve gone through a lot together because we both left Brazil at a very young age,” Rodrygo mentioned. “We came to this great club and won everything, and it’s very sad to have to go through this situation. I wanted to salute Vini, he knows that I’m always by his side. We will keep fighting against racism.”

Madrid’s gamers got here to the sphere sporting Vinícius’ No. 20 jersey, and an enormous banner was displayed behind one of many targets with the phrases “We are all Vinicius. Enough is enough.”

Vinicius didn't play due to a minor knee downside. Wearing avenue garments, he got here out briefly earlier than the match to salute the followers and his teammates.

PHOTOS: Rodrygo scores late as Real Madrid beats Rayo amid tributes to Vinícius Júnior

Karim Benzema opened the scoring on the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium within the thirty first, with the guests equalizing with Raúl de Tomás within the 84th.

The victory moved Madrid to second place forward of Atletico Madrid, which drew 3-3 at Espanyol. Madrid hadn’t gained in two matches in all competitions, having been eradicated by Manchester City within the semifinals of the Champions League.

Rayo, which has misplaced three in a row, stayed in eleventh place.

RELEGATION FIGHT

Espanyol scored 3 times in quarter-hour within the second half to rally from three targets down and earn the house draw towards Atletico.

The end result saved Espanyol second-to-last and within the relegation zone, three factors from security coming into the ultimate two rounds.

Getafe moved out of the underside three with a 1-0 win at sixth-place Real Betis, with Omar Alderete scoring a 68th-minute winner to take the Madrid membership to sixteenth place.

Getafe has the identical 38 factors as Seventeenth-place Cadiz, which misplaced 2-0 at Villarreal. Valladolid, the primary staff contained in the relegation zone, additionally has 38 factors following its 3-1 win towards champion Barcelona on Tuesday.

Villarreal saved alive its possibilities to catching fourth-place Real Sociedad for the ultimate Champions League place. It stayed 5 factors behind the Basque Country membership.

The win over Espanyol would have secured Atletico second place. Antoine Griezmann scored one of many targets for Diego Simeone’s staff.

Last-place Elche, already relegated, drew 1-1 with ninth-place Sevilla at dwelling.

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