A dramatic night in Valencia for Jude Bellingham
Valencia 1 - 2 Real Madrid
Jude Bellingham experienced a rollercoaster evening, missing a penalty but scoring a dramatic 95th-minute winner as 10-man Real Madrid snatched a thrilling victory over Valencia to reclaim the top spot in La Liga.
It was Carlos Corberán’s first game in charge of Valencia since his appointment last week, and the former West Bromwich Albion manager looked set to enjoy a dream start as his new side edged towards a memorable win—until the late drama unfolded.
At a lively Mestalla Stadium, Valencia took the lead in the first half when Hugo Duro tapped in from close range after Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could only parry Javi Guerra’s powerful effort.
Real Madrid had a golden opportunity to level the score in the 55th minute when Kylian Mbappé was fouled inside the box. However, Bellingham’s penalty struck the inside of the post and stayed out.
The visitors’ night looked like it was getting worse when VinÃcius Júnior was sent off after VAR reviewed an incident where he pushed Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski on the back of the head. Earlier, Mbappé had a potential equaliser ruled out for a marginal offside.
Despite the setbacks, Real Madrid fought back. With five minutes of normal time remaining, substitute Luka Modrić calmly finished after a clever pass from Bellingham to bring the scores level.
Bellingham then turned hero, capitalising on a defensive mistake by Dimitri Foulquier to fire Real ahead. In the dying moments, Valencia came agonisingly close to an equaliser when Luis Rioja’s thunderous strike rattled the post.
The victory sees Real Madrid move two points clear of Atletico Madrid, who still have a game in hand.
Some encouraging signs for the new Valencia boss
This was Carlos Corberán’s first game in charge of his hometown club, marking a poignant moment in a career that began with him playing as a goalkeeper for Valencia’s B team.
The 41-year-old had been managing West Bromwich Albion, who were seventh in the Championship and pushing for promotion to the Premier League, before making what he described as “the hardest decision of my life” to take the reins at Valencia.
European Super Football: Valencia reportedly make approach for West Brom boss https://t.co/quylS7J2wH
— European Super Football (@ESFootballNews) December 24, 2024
Once Champions League contenders, as recently as 2020, Valencia have endured a dreadful 2024-25 season. They now find themselves in serious danger of relegation, which would mark their first stint outside La Liga since a solitary campaign in the Segunda División in 1986-87.
Corberán will likely feel his team were unlucky not to take something from an exhilarating match against Real Madrid. However, the loss leaves Valencia 19th in the table, four points adrift of safety and in desperate need of a turnaround to avoid the drop.
