Jude Bellingham Breaks His Goal Drought as Real Madrid Edges Past Juventus
Look, I’m not saying Jude Bellingham had been invisible this season, but the guy hadn’t scored at the Bernabéu since April. April! That’s 204 days of Real Madrid fans singing “Hey Jude” and getting nothing but vibes in return. But on Tuesday night, the England midfielder finally remembered he’s supposed to put the ball in the net, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win over Juventus that was about as thrilling as watching paint dry—until it wasn’t.
Bellingham Finally Shows Up When It Matters
Let’s be real: Bellingham’s been coasting on reputation lately. Sure, he had shoulder surgery, and yeah, he’s been “carefully managed” by Xabi Alonso. But Madrid fans don’t pay to watch careful management. They pay to watch goals, assists, and moments that make you spill your beer. And in the 58th minute, Bellingham delivered.
After Vinícius Júnior‘s shot bounced off the post like it was afraid of going in, Bellingham was right there—sharp, quick, and composed—to tap it home. The Bernabéu erupted. The Beatles classic blared through the speakers. And somewhere, Paul McCartney probably shed a single tear of joy.
This wasn’t just any goal. It was Bellingham’s first of the season and his first at home since that Copa del Rey match back in April. Six months is a long time in football, especially when you’re playing for a club that expects you to score with the regularity of a Swiss watch. But hey, better late than never, right?
Real Madrid Played Like They Had Bigger Fish to Fry
Here’s the thing: Madrid didn’t exactly light up the pitch. They had 28 shots—twenty-eight—and only managed to score once. Aurélien Tchouaméni, who looked like he was auditioning for a role as a striker nobody asked for, had three separate chances to score and somehow missed them all. One header went straight at the keeper, another sailed over the bar, and the third… well, let’s not talk about it.
Kylian Mbappé, usually the guy who makes defenders question their career choices, was strangely quiet for most of the match. Sure, he had a couple of chances and some fancy footwork, but Michele Di Gregorio, Juventus‘s goalkeeper, was having the game of his life. The Italian made a string of spectacular saves, including a double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz that would’ve made Gordon Banks proud.
It’s almost like Madrid knew they had Barcelona coming to town this weekend and were saving their energy. Why risk Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hamstring against a Juventus side that hasn’t won since September when you’ve got the Clásico looming? Smart? Maybe. Frustrating to watch? Absolutely.
Juventus Showed Some Fight, But Not Enough
Credit where it’s due: Juventus didn’t just roll over and accept their fate. They came out swinging in the first half, with Weston McKennie and Federico Gatti both testing Thibaut Courtois from distance. And Dusan Vlahovic? The Serbian striker had a golden opportunity to score when he broke through Madrid’s defense, only for Courtois to pull off a save that belonged in a highlight reel.
But here’s the problem: Juventus couldn’t sustain it. They had moments of brilliance, sure, but they lacked the consistency to trouble Madrid for a full 90 minutes. When you’re sitting on just two points in the Champions League and facing a Real Madrid side that’s won all three of their matches, you need more than just “moments.” You need a complete performance. And Juventus? They didn’t have it.
Late in the game, substitute Loïs Openda had a chance to salvage a point when he broke free, but Raúl Asencio made a last-ditch sliding block that would’ve made John Terry jealous. Then, in stoppage time, Filip Kostic had another crack at goal, only for Courtois to say “not today” once again. It was tough luck for the Italians, but tough luck doesn’t get you points.
What This Win Means for Real Madrid
Still, a win’s a win. And with Barcelona rolling into the Bernabéu this weekend, Madrid needed this result to build some momentum. Bellingham breaking his goal drought is a bonus. If he can carry this form into the Clásico, Madrid fans might actually have something to cheer about.
The Road Ahead for Juventus
As for Juventus? They’re in trouble. Deep trouble. With only two points from three games, they’re dangerously close to missing out on the knockout rounds entirely. And for a club that’s played in nine Champions League finals, that’s borderline catastrophic. They’ve got work to do, and fast.
Manager Thiago Motta needs to figure out how to get more from his squad, and Vlahovic needs to start converting chances instead of wasting them. Because if this is the best Juventus can offer against a Madrid side that wasn’t even firing on all cylinders, they’re in for a rough ride.
