La Liga: Bellingham’s Last-Minute Goal Propels Real Madrid to Top Spot

In a thrilling encounter at Mestalla Stadium, Jude Bellingham played a decisive role in securing a dramatic 2-1 victory for Real Madrid over Valencia, propelling his team to the top of La Liga. The England forward endured a rollercoaster match, missing a penalty but scoring a last-minute winner, ensuring the three points for his side.
Valencia, under new manager Carlos Corberan, who was taking charge for the first time after his appointment the previous week, appeared poised to secure a notable victory. The home side struck first in the 29th minute, when Hugo Duro pounced on a loose ball to tap in from close range. The goal came after a powerful shot from Javi Guerra was parried by Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, setting up Duro to finish.
Real Madrid had a chance to equalize early in the second half, in the 55th minute, when Kylian Mbappe was brought down in the penalty area. Bellingham, who had been in excellent form, stepped up to take the penalty, but his shot rebounded off the inside of the post, keeping the score at 1-0 in favor of Valencia.
The match then took an unexpected turn when Real Madrid was reduced to 10 men. Vinicius Jr, in an off-the-ball incident, pushed Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski in the back of the head. After a VAR review, the referee showed Vinicius a red card for the altercation, leaving Real to play with a numerical disadvantage for the remainder of the match.
Despite the setback, Real Madrid refused to give up, continuing to push for an equalizer. In the 85th minute, they got their reward. Substitute Luka Modric, who had just come on, collected a perfectly timed pass from Bellingham and calmly slotted the ball past Dimitrievski, leveling the score at 1-1.
As the match neared its end, with the teams heading toward a possible draw, Bellingham once again became the hero. In the 95th minute, he capitalized on a mistake from Valencia defender Dimitri Foulquier, who lost possession in a dangerous area. Bellingham seized the opportunity, pouncing on the ball and scoring the winner, sending the Madrid players and fans into ecstasy.
Valencia’s hopes of a late equalizer were nearly realized in the 10th minute of added time when Luis Rioja fired a powerful strike toward goal. However, his effort hit the post, and Real Madrid held on to secure the dramatic win. The victory sees them move two points clear of Atletico Madrid, who still have a game in hand, putting them in a strong position at the top of the La Liga standings.
Real Madrid’s performance, particularly in the final moments, demonstrated their resilience and fighting spirit, even when down to 10 men. The match showcased Bellingham’s ability to rise to the occasion, with his crucial contributions securing all three points for his team. The dramatic nature of the win will no doubt be remembered as a pivotal moment in the race for the La Liga title this season.