Jude Bellingham rescues loony Los Blancos! England star makes up for penalty miss with late winner after Vinicius Junior sees red card in chaotic clash against La Liga strugglers
Carlo Ancelotti's side endured a baffling evening at Mestalla, but were rescued by some late magic by their star man.
Real Madrid played out one of the more confusing football matches in recent La Liga history Friday night, missing a penalty, having Vinicius Jr sent off, but coming back from behind to snag a 2-1 win over Valencia.
Los Blancos looked to have lost it after 85 minutes, but late goals from first Luka Modric, then Jude Bellingham saw them claw their way to a 2-1 victory.
The home team were more adventurous in the first half, and forced Thibaut Courtois into a few tidy saves in the early goings. The Madrid keeper could do little about the opener, though, his instinctive save falling into the path of Hugo Duro, who couldn't miss from less than five yards out. Los Blancos, for their part, created in moments, but were well denied by the active Stole Dimitrievski, who made three tidy saves in the first half.
They had a clear chance to equalise after 53 minutes, when Kylian Mbappe was nudged over in the box - but Jude Bellingham's penalty hit the post. Further disappointment followed after Mbappe put the ball in the net, only to see it waved off for offside. Vinicius Jr seemed to have ruined the evening after being baited into a silly shove of Dimitrievski - earning himself a soft but fair red card.
But Madrid stayed alive, Luka Modric equalising off the bench with six minutes in normal time remaining. And they somehow found a winner soon after, Bellingham latching onto a horrific backpass before finishing calmly into the bottom corner to complete the unlikeliest of turnarounds.
Thibaut Courtois (6/10):
Busy in the first half, making a few big saves. Couldn't do much about the goal, and was mostly a spectator thereafter.
Lucas Vazquez (5/10):
Lost track of his man on the Valencia opener, and never really improved from there.
Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):
The better of the two centre-backs, on balance. Showed some important composure with the ball.
Antonio Rudiger (5/10):
Not his best showing. Pulled out of place on counters, especially on Valencia's opening goal.
Ferland Mendy (5/10):
A pretty much anonymous showing until he was replaced on 70 minutes. He doesn't provide at all going forward.
Dani Ceballos (5/10):
Tidy on the ball, but exposed in transition when it really counted.
Federico Valverde (6/10):
Narrowly missed from long range on a couple of occasions. Was otherwise lacking his usual fluidity.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Baffling. Wonderful on the ball, hit the post from the spot, scored a late winner. Did it all, really.
Vinicius Jr (5/10):
Busy on the wing without being immensely effective. Lost his temper and was deservedly shown a red for a silly shove to the face.
Kylian Mbappe (6/10):
A bit in and out of the game. Struggled to find space among a crowded defensive third. Had one ruled out after improving in the second half.
Rodrygo (4/10):
Anonymous. Barely got involved and deservedly removed.
Brahim Diaz (5/10):
Didn't make much of an impact after being brought on.
Eduardo Camavinga (5/10):
Offered a bit more bite and ball progression.
Luka Modric (7/10):
Bagged the equaliser, and proved to be the hero off the bench - even if it didn't feel like it.
Raul Asencio (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):
What does he make of this? Madrid were poor, had a man sent off, and then snagged something from it all. He won't complain, but surely Madrid can't play every game like this.