Valencia stunned Real Madrid with a 2-1 win at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Giorgi Mamardashvili was one of the standout performers of the match. After the game, the goalkeeper shared a humorous story about a bet he won from Vinicius Junior following his crucial penalty save.
In the 10th minute, Real Madrid had a chance to take the lead when Kylian Mbappe was fouled by defender Cesar Tarrega inside the box. Vinicius Junior took on the responsibility of the penalty, but Mamardashvili pulled off a stunning save in the 13th minute to keep the score level.
Despite conceding an equalizer in the 50th minute, Mamardashvili emerged as Valencia’s hero. He made eight saves during the game and prevented 2.28 xG, sealing his place as the match’s standout performer. After the victory, the Georgian goalkeeper revealed a fun exchange with Vinícius. “I also had a bet with Vinícius for 50 euros,” Mamardashvili said, smiling.
In an interview with Spanish program El Chiringuito, the goalkeeper elaborated on the bet. “I asked him during the penalty whether he wanted to bet 50 euros on whether it would go in or not, and I won. He had to do it after the game, but he hasn’t paid me yet,” the keeper admitted while laughing.
The penalty save was one of Mamardashvili’s many key moments in the game, and his playful mind games with Vinicius Junior appear to have paid off. This marks the second consecutive penalty that the Real Madrid forward has missed—his first being against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, followed by this miss against Valencia in La Liga.
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A controversial penalty
The penalty awarded to Real Madrid in the 10th minute came after Mbappe was fouled in the box by Tarrega. Referee Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez pointed to the spot immediately, but VAR official Jorge Figueroa Vazquez asked for a review of the decision.
Upon reviewing the footage, it appeared that Mbappe had kicked Tarrega’s leg first, causing him to stumble. Despite the VAR review, Cuadra Fernandez did not overturn his decision and awarded the penalty to the home side.
While Mamardashvili’s save and Valencia’s 2-1 victory ultimately overshadowed the controversy, the penalty decision has sparked some debate among fans. “I think it was a penalty,” said Mamardashvili, though the incident continues to stir some uncertainty.
