Real Madrid produced a remarkable late turnaround to secure a 2-1 victory over Valencia, with Jude Bellingham scoring the winner.
Although they were down to 10 men after Vinicius Junior’s red card, Madrid’s perseverance paid off by spectacularly overturning a first-half deficit.
Valencia started the match brightly, taking the lead in the 27th minute.
Thierry Correia found space on the right flank and played the ball to Javi Guerra, whose initial shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois.
Hugo Duro reacted quickest to score the rebound, giving the home side a deserved 1-0 lead.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid struggled to win from the start, with Valencia looking more dangerous at the break.
The visitors had their best chance of the half when Federico Valverde fired a powerful shot straight at Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
🏁 @valenciacf_fr 1-2 @realmadriden
⚽ 27′ Hugo Duro
⚽ 85′ @lukamodric10
⚽ 90’+5′ @BellinghamJude#ValenciaRealMadrid | @Emirates pic.twitter.com/rOkM4NtxKq— Real Madrid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 3, 2025
Despite dominating possession, Madrid lacked sharpness in the final third and entered at the break.
Los Blancos came out with more intent in the second half, but their frustrations grew as the chances ticked away.
A penalty awarded in the 53rd minute provided a lifeline when Kylian Mbappe was brought down in the box. However, Bellingham’s penalty hit the post, leaving Valencia off the hook.
Madrid’s task became even tougher in the 79th minute when Vinicius Jr. was sent off after a VAR review.
The Brazilian clashed with Dimitrievski, pushing the goalkeeper in the face after a heated exchange. Reduced to 10 men, Madrid seemed to be running out of time and ideas.
Despite a man down, Madrid equalized in the 85th minute. Jude Bellingham, who was instrumental throughout the match, sent a perfectly balanced ball to Luka Modric.
The Croatian substitute burst into the box and slotted the ball past Dimitrievski to make it 1-1.
The goal revitalized Madrid and Valencia, who had trailed for much of the second half, found themselves under immense pressure in the final minutes.
While the match seemed destined for a draw, Bellingham took advantage of a defensive error in the fifth minute of added time.
Hugo Guillamon’s back pass left Dimitrievski stranded, and Bellingham ran onto the ball before calmly curling it into the bottom corner.
The Mestalla fell silent as the teenager celebrated what turned out to be the winning goal.
