In the La Liga make-up match, Real Madrid beat Valencia 2-1 in a thrilling match at Mestalla Stadium in the early morning of January 4. Vinicius received a red card, Bellingham scored a last-minute goal to help “Los Blancos” lead La Liga.

Traveling to the home field of bottom-placed Valencia, Real Madrid is determined to win 3 points on the opening day of 2025. Coach Ancelotti fielded an attacking lineup with strikers Mbappe, Rodrygo, Vinicius while Bellingham and Valverde played in midfield.

Vinicius received a red card when Real Madrid were behind (Photo: Getty).

In the context of a deadlocked attack, Real Madrid also made mistakes in defense. Duro took advantage of the lack of decisiveness in the away team’s defense to decisively beat goalkeeper Courtois, opening the score for Valencia.

Real Madrid pushed their squad forward to attack, but they were powerless against Valencia’s tight defense. The first half ended with the home team having the advantage and in the second half, Ancelotti’s team increased the pressure.

The chance came for Real Madrid in the 55th minute, but Bellingham’s penalty hit the post. Six minutes later, Bellingham assisted Mbappe to finish past Dimitrievski, but the French striker was ruled offside.

Difficulties came to Real Madrid again when they were playing with one less man in the 80th minute. Vinicius had a foul on goalkeeper Dimitrievski and received a red card and had to leave the field.

Bellingham shines to bring 3 points to Real Madrid (Photo: Getty).

In a disadvantageous situation, Real Madrid showed their mettle. In the 85th minute, Bellingham assisted Modric to score decisively, equalizing the score at 1-1. In the 90+5th minute, Bellingham scored a lightning goal, sealing a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid.

Defeating Valencia 2-1 at Mestalla, Real Madrid rose to the top of La Liga with 43 points after 19 matches, 2 points more than Atletico and 5 points more than Barcelona. However, Atletico have only played 18 matches and still have a chance to win the first leg of La Liga.

Line-up

Valencia : Dimitrievski, Foulquier, Mosquera, Tárrega, Gasiorowski (Jesus Vazquez 88′), López (Canós 67′), Guerra (Guillamón 68′), Barrenechea, Rioja, Almeida (Gomez 88′), Duro.

Goal : Duro (27′).

Real Madrid : Courtois. Mendy (Camavinga 68′), Rudiger, Tchouameni, Vazquez, Bellingham (Asensio 90’+7), Ceballos (Modric 80′), Valverde, Rodrygo (Diaz 68′), Vinicius, Mbappe.

Goals : Modric (85′), Bellingham (90’+5).