MADRID: Rodrygo thrashed a late winner to help Real Madrid edge Rayo Vallecano 2-1 in La Liga on Wedesday and go ahead of city-rivals Atletico Madrid, who were later held 3-3 at Espanyol. 

Players and fans at Santiago Bernabeu showed their supports for Vinicus Junior, who was racially abused at Valencia during Madrid’s 2-1 defeat against the home side on Sunday.

Rodrygo bowed his head and lifted his fist into the air in a salute to team-mate Vincius after scoring Madrid’s second goal in the 89th minute.

Karim Benzema scored the opener for Real after the half-hour mark before Raul de Tomas equalised for the visitors six minutes from full-time.

Five minutes later, Rodrygo restored the lead for home side with a low shot from just outside the box beating Rayo goalkeeper.

The game was marked by overwhelming compassion and sympathy for the Brazilian winger Vincius as all Real’s players took the pitch donning shirts carrying Vinicius’ No. 20 while the captains of both teams wore armbands with anti-racism messages.

Vinicius was not part of Real Madrid’s lineup for yesterday’s game but witnessed the proceedings sitting next to club president Florentino Perez.

He joined his teammates on the pitch for a standing ovation after all the players posed next to an official LaLiga banner “Racists, out of football.”

It is pertinet to mention here that Barcelona have already won the La Liga championship with two games to spare.

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