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England midfielder Jude Bellingham missed a penalty and scored a 95th-minute winner as 10-man Real Madrid snatched a dramatic victory at Valencia to move top of La Liga.
VALENCIA had former West Bromwich Albion boss Carlos Corberan in charge for the first time since he became manager last week and he was on course to guide his new team to a memorable victory, before the exciting finale.
In a thrilling match at Mestalla Stadium, the hosts took a first-half lead when Hugo Duro tapped in from close range after Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois could only parry Javi Guerra’s powerful strike.
Real had a chance to equalise in the 55th minute after Kylian Mbappe was fouled in the 18-yard box, only for Bellingham to see his penalty bounce out off the inside of the post.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were then reduced to 10 men after Vinicius Jr was sent off for pushing the back of the head of Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski after an intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR).
However, Real, who earlier had a potential equaliser from Mbappe ruled out for a tight offside, made it 1-1 with five minutes of normal time remaining as substitute Luka Modric collected Bellingham’s pass and slotted past Dimitrievski.
Bellingham then capitalised on an error from Valencia defender Dimitri Foulquier to put Real ahead, although in the 10th additional minute Luis Rioja nearly made it 2-2 but his fierce strike hit the post.
Real’s victory takes them two points clear of Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.
This game was originally scheduled to take place on 2 November, but was rearranged following devastating flash floods in the region.
The torrential rain and flooding which hit the coastal city at the end of October was the deadliest in modern Spanish history, killing more than 220 people.
Encouraging signs for new Valencia boss Corberan
For Corberan this was his first match in charge of his hometown club, after a career that had seen him play as a goalkeeper for Valencia’s ‘B’ team.
West Brom were seventh in the Championship and in contention for promotion to the Premier League before the 41-year-old left to join Valencia, a decision he called “the hardest of my life”.
Valencia played in the last 16 of the Champions League as recently as 2020 but have endured a miserable campaign in 2024-25 and face dropping out of Spain’s top tier for the first time since one campaign in the Segunda Division in 1986-87.
Corberan will feel his side deserved something from a pulsating game with Real, but the defeat leaves them 19th out of 20 sides and four points adrift of 17th-placed Getafe.
Photo Caption: Real Madrid are aiming to become Spanish champions for a 37th time
Culled from BBC
4th January, 2025.
C.E.
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