Jude Bellingham emerged as Real Madrid’s hero in a dramatic 2-1 win at Valencia on Friday night, scoring a stoppage-time winner after his penalty miss earlier in the match.
The victory sent Madrid to the top of La Liga, two points clear of Atlético Madrid, although the capital club has played one more game than their rivals.
The match, initially delayed by flooding in October, was a fiery encounter, with tensions running high throughout. Valencia made a strong start and took the lead in the 27th minute through Huro Duro.
A ball from Dimitri Foulquier found Javi Guerra, whose shot was well saved by Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. However, Duro pounced on the rebound, tapping it into an empty net to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage.
Real Madrid’s star-studded attacking line struggled to break down Valencia’s defense in the opening half.
Vinicius Junior, returning to the Mestalla where he had faced racist abuse from the crowd in 2022, had a blocked shot, and the team seemed frustrated by a resolute Valencia side. As the first half ended, Madrid faced an uphill battle to find an equalizer.
The second half saw the game take another turn when Madrid were reduced to 10 men. Vinicius Junior, visibly frustrated with the atmosphere at the Mestalla, was sent off after shoving Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the back of the neck with just over 10 minutes remaining.
The red card left Madrid trailing 1-0 and with a man disadvantage, but they refused to back down. In the 85th minute, Luka Modric brought Madrid back into the game with a well-executed equalizer.
Bellingham, who had earlier missed a penalty, made a decisive contribution by setting up the Croatian midfielder to score the much-needed goal. With Madrid’s comeback in full swing, Bellingham completed his redemption story in stoppage time.
A defensive error from Valencia handed him the chance to pounce, and he took it, breaking in and firing a clinical finish into the net. His strike sealed the victory for Madrid and left the team in high spirits despite the numerical disadvantage.
The result lifted Real Madrid to the top of the La Liga table, with 42 points, though Atlético Madrid can reclaim the top spot with a win in their next fixture.
Madrid, who have now won their last five league matches, will be pleased with the grit and determination shown in the face of adversity.
For Valencia, the defeat leaves them in 19th place, still struggling at the wrong end of the table. New manager Carlos Corberan, appointed during the winter break after the departure of Ruben Baraja, faces an uphill task in turning the club’s fortunes around.
Despite the red card, the late heroics from Bellingham and Modric ensured Madrid made amends for their early struggles, and they head into the new year with momentum and top-of-the-table bragging rights.