Jude Bellingham marked his return to scoring form as Real Madrid edged past Juventus 1-0 in a hard-fought Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabéu. It was a night filled with relief and emotion for the English midfielder, who netted his first goal of the season after recovering from a shoulder injury that had sidelined him for months.
The win, Madrid’s third of the campaign, was anything but straightforward. Juventus may no longer be the dominant force they once were, but they made Madrid sweat for the points. Thibaut Courtois played a vital role, pulling off crucial saves to deny Dusan Vlahovic and Khéphren Thuram in the closing stages, ensuring Madrid stayed top of their group.
Juventus began brightly, pressing Madrid high and testing their defence early through Vlahovic and Weston McKennie. Federico Gatti also drew a sharp save from Courtois before the Spanish giants gradually took control. With 66% possession, Madrid dictated the tempo but found clear chances hard to come by. Aurélien Tchouaméni and Éder Militão both squandered headers, while Arda Guler provided a touch of creativity in midfield, linking well with Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior.
Kylian Mbappé was relatively quiet for most of the first half but came alive late on, forcing Michele Di Gregorio into a pair of fine saves. The French forward’s quick footwork unsettled the Juventus defence and hinted at a breakthrough that would come soon after.
That moment arrived midway through the second half. Vinícius created space on the edge of the box and unleashed a low shot that struck the post. Bellingham was perfectly positioned to tuck in the rebound from close range, sending the Bernabéu into raptures as the fans once again sang “Hey Jude.”
Madrid could have doubled their lead late on, but Di Gregorio kept out efforts from Mbappé, Brahim Díaz, and Fede Valverde. At the other end, Courtois’ reflex saves and a crucial block from Raúl Asencio preserved the narrow advantage.
After the final whistle, Bellingham expressed his delight at returning to form, saying the goal meant a lot after months of frustration and recovery. His strike not only sealed victory for Madrid but also reaffirmed his importance in Xabi Alonso’s system as the Spanish side look to reclaim European glory.
