Jude Bellingham strikes late winner for 10-man Real Madrid against Valencia after Vinicius Junior red card
Updated 24/04/2025 at 13:58 GMT+1
It was a dramatic night at the Mestalla, as Real Madrid moved two points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win against Valencia. Carlo Ancelotti's side laid down the gauntlet to title rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, as Jude Bellingham redeemed himself for an earlier penalty miss to secure a vital three points. Meanwhile, Carlos Corberan lost his first match as Valencia head coach.
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Jude Bellingham redeemed himself after an earlier penalty miss by scoring in stoppage time to earn 10-man Real Madrid a 2-1 win over Valencia.
Vinicius Junior was sent off in the second half for a push on Stole Dimitrievski, but despite their one-man disadvantage, goals from Luka Modric and Bellingham sent Los Blancos two points clear at the top of the table.
It looked like being a different story after a dominant start for the hosts, with Thibaut Courtois called into action early on to deny Hugo Duro and Andre Almeida.
It was Duro who broke the deadlock in the 27th minute when he reacted quickest to the loose ball after Courtois parried Javi Guerra’s effort into his path.
Real gradually gained a foothold in the contest when Dimitrievski was called into action to deny Federico Valverde and Vinicius.
The reigning champions were presented with a chance to restore parity from the penalty spot when Cesar Tarrega was penalised for a challenge on Kylian Mbappe inside the box.
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But Bellingham squandered an opportunity to equalise when his penalty cannoned off the post in the 55th minute.
It looked like Mbappe had equalised five minutes later when he ran past Dimitrievski before firing home, but the goal was ruled out with the Frenchman deemed to be in an offside position.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side ramped up the pressure, but were not aided in their cause when Vinicius was given his marching orders for a clash with Dimitrievski - with the Brazilian bundled down the tunnel after remonstrating with the referee.
Despite being a player down, the visitors managed to wipe out Valencia’s lead, courtesy of Modric, who expertly latched onto Bellingham’s through ball and fired home in the 85th minute.
Carlos Coberan’s side were clinging on for what would have been a hard-fought point, but Real ensured they left the Mestalla with all three points thanks to a late intervention by Bellingham.
The England midfielder atoned for his earlier penalty miss when he ruthlessly punished Hugo Guillamon for a short backpass, and unleashed a clinical finish beyond Dimitrievski in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
This breathless contest then nearly took another twist when Luis Rioja rattled the frame of Courtois' goal with a stinging strike with virtually the last kick of the match.
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