SPORTS

Jude Bellingham’s Last-Minute Magic Saves 10-Man Real Madrid in Thriller Against Valencia

In a pulsating La Liga showdown at Mestalla Stadium, Jude Bellingham proved to be Real Madrid’s hero, delivering a stunning stoppage-time winner to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory over Valencia on Friday.

The match had everything: missed penalties, a red card, and late-game fireworks. Valencia struck first in the 27th minute when Hugo Duro pounced on a rebound to slot the ball past Thibaut Courtois. The home side, desperate for points to escape the relegation zone, held their ground for most of the game.

But Real Madrid, the league leaders, were not to be denied. Luka Modric equalized in the 85th minute, thanks to a pinpoint assist from Bellingham. Just minutes later, the English midfielder turned match-winner, capitalizing on a defensive blunder to calmly slot home the decisive goal in the 96th minute.

The drama reached its peak when Vinicius Junior was sent off in the 80th minute for shoving Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski. The incident reignited tensions between Vinicius and Valencia fans, who racially abused him during a previous visit in 2022. Despite being a man down, Real Madrid found a way to rally, with Bellingham leading the charge.

“Bellingham’s performance was extraordinary,” said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. “He turned disappointment into motivation after missing the penalty and delivered a match-winning performance.”

Real Madrid’s struggles began early in the second half when Bellingham missed a penalty, his shot clanging off the post. VAR checks showed encroachment by Valencia’s goalkeeper, but the officials allowed play to continue. Moments later, Kylian Mbappé thought he had equalized, only to have his goal ruled out for offside.

The missed opportunities could have deflated Madrid, but their persistence paid off. Bellingham’s late goal marked his sixth in seven matches, further cementing his status as a fan favorite in his debut season with Los Blancos.

For Valencia, the defeat deepens their woes. The club, now winless since November, sits in 19th place and faces an uphill battle to avoid relegation. Despite the loss, Duro, who scored Valencia’s lone goal, remained optimistic. “The goal doesn’t matter; the points do. I’d trade all my goals for a win,” he said post-match.

Ancelotti acknowledged his team’s uneven performance, calling the first half “poor” but praising their resilience. “Even with ten men, we showed incredible spirit. These three points are crucial, but we need to maintain consistency,” he said.

Valencia nearly snatched a dramatic equalizer in the dying moments when Luis Rioja’s thunderous strike rattled the post. But it wasn’t to be, leaving Real Madrid two points clear at the top of La Liga, albeit with one more game played than second-placed Atletico Madrid.

Originally scheduled for October, the game was postponed due to severe flooding in eastern Spain. The stakes were high for both teams: Valencia desperately needed a win to climb out of the relegation zone, while Real Madrid aimed to tighten their grip on the league’s summit.

In the end, it was Bellingham’s brilliance that made the difference, securing a victory that Madrid fans won’t soon forget.

Match highlights below:

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