Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili has revealed he offered a penalty bet to Vinicius Junior, but is yet to receive his €50 winnings.
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Vinicius misses penalty against ValenciaMamardashvili reveals he made bet with BrazilianValencia beat Madrid to hand Barcelona advantageFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
The Georgian shot-stopper explained after the game that he had offered a bet to the Brazilian winger. Vinicius was lining up to take a penalty when Mamardashvili said he would pay the star €50 if he was to score, and Vinicius agreed to pay the same fee should he miss. Perhaps inspired by the small bonus, the goalkeeper produced a strong stop to deny the forward – a bonus he claims he is yet to receive.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHAT MAMARDASHVILI SAID
After the game, Mamardashvili said to reporters: "I won 50 euros. I asked him [Vinicius] if he wanted to bet 50 euros and he said yes, so I won. He was supposed to pay after the match.”
Asked if Vinicius had paid up, he replied: "No, no, no."
THE BIGGER PICTURE
The penalty save was a standout moment in an impressive performance from the Liverpool-bound goalkeeper. The stop kept the score tied at 0-0, before Valencia took the lead two minutes later. Vinicius would make up for his error by levelling but it was the visitors who stole a precious victory at the death as Hugo Duro pounced in the 95th minute. With Madrid's title hopes dented, they could only watch on as Barcelona stretched their lead at the top of La Liga to four points – albeit through a frustrating draw.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR MAMARDASHVILI AND VINICIUS?
A win for Valencia helps continue their surge away from the relegation zone and they are now seven points from the drop. They host Sevilla on Friday night. As for Vinicius, he will be part of the Madrid squad travelling to London to take on Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
