Real Madrid pulled off a remarkable turnaround to secure a 2-1 win over Valencia with Jude Bellingham netting the winner.
Despite being reduced to 10 men following Vinicius Junior’s red card, Madrid’s persistence paid off as they overturned a first-half deficit in dramatic fashion.
Valencia started the game brilliantly, taking the lead in the 27th minute.
Thierry Correia found space on the right and played the ball to Javi Guerra, whose initial shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois.
Hugo Duro reacted quicker to win the rebound, giving the hosts a deserved 1-0 lead.
Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid struggled to impose themselves early on, with Valencia looking more dangerous on the break.
The visitors had the best chance of the half when Federico Valverde fired a powerful effort straight at Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievsky.
🏁 @valenciacf_en 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 clarity in the final third and went into the break trailing.
Los Blancos came out with more intent in the second half, but their frustration grew as chances began to beckon.
A penalty awarded in the 53rd minute offered a lifeline when Kylian Mbappe went down in the box. However, Bellingham’s penalty hit the post, letting Valencia clear.
Madrid’s task became even more difficult in the 79th minute when Vinicius Junior was sent off following a VAR review.
The Brazilian collided with Dimitrievsky, shoving the goalkeeper in the face after a heated exchange. Reduced to 10 men, Madrid seemed to be running out of time and ideas.
Despite the fact that it was impossible, Madrid found the equalizer in the 85th minute. Jude Bellingham, decisive throughout the game, sent a perfectly weighted ball to Luka Modric.
The Croatian substitute burst into the box and slotted the ball past Dimitrievsky to make it 1-1.
The goal revived Madrid and Valencia, who had trailed for much of the second half, came under huge pressure in the closing minutes.
With the game seemingly destined for a tie, Bellingham took advantage of a defensive error in the fifth minute of overtime.
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.
