Bellingham scores the late winner, but Vinicius Jr. is sent off

Real Madrid pulled off a remarkable late turnaround to secure a 2-1 win over Valencia, with Jude Bellingham scoring the winning goal.

Despite being reduced to ten men following Vinicius Junior’s red card, Madrid’s persistence paid off as they overcame a first-half deficit in dramatic fashion.

Valencia started the game brightly and took the lead in the 27th minute.

Thierry Correia found space on the right and passed the ball to Javi Guerra, whose first shot was parried by Thibaut Courtois.

Hugo Duro reacted quickest and sank the rebound, giving the home team a deserved 1-0 lead.

Carlo Ancelotti’s Madrid side struggled to establish themselves early on, with Valencia looking more dangerous on the counterattack.

The visitors had their best chance of the half when Federico Valverde fired a powerful shot straight at Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.

🏁 @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 penetration in the final third and went into the break trailing.

The Whites started the game with more purpose in the second half, but their frustration grew as fewer chances presented themselves.

A penalty awarded in the 53rd minute saved the game when Kylian Mbappe was brought down in the penalty area. However, Bellingham’s penalty hit the post and Valencia was off the hook.

Madrid’s task became even more difficult in the 79th minute when Vinicius Jr. was sent off following a VAR review.

The Brazilian clashed with Dimitrievski and punched the goalkeeper in the face after a heated exchange. When Madrid were reduced to ten men, it seemed as if they were running out of time and ideas.

Despite being outnumbered, Madrid managed to equalize in the 85th minute. Jude Bellingham, who played a crucial role throughout the game, played a perfectly weighted through ball to Luka Modric.

The substitute Croatian stormed into the penalty area and pushed the ball past Dimitrievski to make it 1-1.

The goal energized Madrid and Valencia, who had held back for most of the second half, came under enormous pressure in the final minutes.

Just when the game seemed headed for a draw, Bellingham took advantage of a defensive error in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Hugo Guillamon’s poorly struck back pass left Dimitrievski stranded and Bellingham ran to the ball before calmly rolling it into the bottom corner.

The Mestalla fell silent as the teenager celebrated the winning goal.