Late Rodrygo strike secures Real Madrid victory as players speak out against racism

In a thrilling match at the Santiago Bernabeu, Rodrygo's late goal sealed a hard-fought 2-1 win for Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano.

The visitors persisted until the final whistle, while the hosts struggled to find their rhythm for most of the game. However, when the crucial moment arrived, Rodrygo seized the opportunity with a decisive finish.

Reflecting on his goal in an interview via the Real Madrid website, the Brazilian winger expressed his delight and provided insights on the ninety-minute battle. "It's special to find the back of the net once again. I need to maintain this form. We anticipated a challenging game against a very talented team, but we played well. Though we faced difficulties at times, I'm overjoyed to have scored the winning goal. We're all thrilled," said Rodrygo.

Following his goal, Rodrygo dedicated his celebration to his compatriot Vinicius Junior, emphasizing their strong bond forged through shared experiences. "I dedicated the goal to my brother, Vini. We've always been together since we left Brazil at a young age. It's heartbreaking to witness the situation he's facing. I stand with him as a fellow black player. We'll continue to fight against racism," Rodrygo stated.

Eduardo Camavinga, who was deployed in the defensive midfield, shared his thoughts on the match and Real Madrid's objectives. "We started the game as we always do. I don't know about a 'wake-up' button, as you say. I simply play. While I'm primarily a central midfielder, I believe in doing whatever is necessary to help the team," remarked Camavinga. Despite Barcelona's clinching of the La Liga title, he affirmed their determination to secure a high finish. "Our priority is to end the season as strongly as possible. Although we can't claim first place anymore, we'll fight for second."

When discussing Real Madrid's season overall, Camavinga expressed satisfaction with the three titles won but stressed the importance of the UEFA Champions League. "Winning the Champions League is always our goal, but this has been a successful season. We've secured three titles, which is no mean feat. Nevertheless, our focus remains on the Champions League, and we'll strive to achieve that next season," stated the French midfielder. He also commended the support shown for Vinicius Jr at the Santiago Bernabeu, emphasizing the need to eradicate racism.

Dani Carvajal, the right back who completed the full 90 minutes, acknowledged the challenge of playing matches without clear objectives but highlighted the team's motivation to finish as high as possible in the standings. "It's tough to bring intensity to games like these when our season is essentially over. We play out of professionalism and the need to compete until the end. It felt like Raúl's goal woke us up, allowing us to create a few chances," Carvajal commented. He expressed the team's determination to win every match and secure a strong finish in the table, aiming for second place since the title is out of reach.

Carvajal also addressed a potential second yellow card incident, explaining the circumstances and defending his actions. "I attempted to intercept the ball, but I missed and pulled my leg back to avoid tripping Óscar. However, he left his leg there and exaggerated the fall. The referee had a clear view, and I don't believe it warranted a yellow card."

Lastly, Carvajal joined his teammates in condemning the treatment of Vinicius Jr and called for collective efforts to prevent such incidents from recurring. "Everyone stands united against this. We must not allow it to persist. We need to improve and ensure it never happens again because it's simply unfair."