Real Madrid delivered another dramatic performance on the night of January 3, 2025, overcoming Valencia with a thrilling last-minute victory to seize the top spot of La Liga. The ten-man champions, inspired by Jude Bellingham, showcased their trademark resilience at Mestalla Stadium, rallying after adversity to secure three points.
The match began with Valencia taking the lead just before halftime when Hugo Duro capitalized on Thibaut Courtois’s inability to hold onto Javi Guerra's powerful strike. Duro tapped the ball home, sending the home side up 1-0 and putting Real Madrid on the back foot. Valencia, now under the guidance of new manager Carlos Corberan, seemed poised to secure what would have been a significant win against the defending champions.
Real Madrid’s evening took another turn as England midfielder Jude Bellingham stepped up to take a penalty early in the second half. After being fouled, Kylian Mbappe handed Bellingham the chance to equalize, but he narrowly missed, with his kick hitting the post. It was this miss, combined with the team being reduced to ten men when Vinicius Junior received a red card for violent conduct, which painted a bleak picture for Madrid.
But the champions were not to be counted out yet. With time running out, Luka Modric emerged as the hero, slotting home the equalizer just five minutes before the end of regular play. Modric, who had come on as a substitute, received Bellingham's deft pass, showing great composure to finish past Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.
With the score tied at 1-1, Real Madrid continued to push forward. Despite being down to ten men, they maintained attacking pressure, seeking to capitalize on any hesitance from their opponents. Their persistence proved rewarding when Bellingham, who had gone from hero to villain and back again, struck the decisive blow. He intercepted a loose pass from Valencia defender Dimitri Foulquier and coolly slotted the ball home during the 95th minute, shocking the Valencia crowd and propelling Real to a 2-1 lead.
Yet the drama was not over. Just as all seemed settled, Luis Rioja of Valencia nearly returned the game to level again, but his fierce strike hit the post, sealing the match for Real Madrid. The victory moved them two points clear of Atletico Madrid, who still have a game at hand.
Bellingham later reflected on the rollercoaster of the match, stating, "It was hard after missing the penalty, but I had to focus and it was great to score the winning goal." His emotional resilience was emblematic of Real Madrid’s spirit, as they often find ways to secure points even when the situation seems bleak. The young star, who had made headlines all season for his performances, noted, "This is the character we have to show, especially here. This is the Real Madrid we want to see."
Corberan, leading his first match as Valencia manager, expressed mixed feelings about the defeat; his side showed significant promise but remained rooted near the bottom of the table. Despite the loss, he saw signs of improvement and noted, "We played well and deserved more from the match." With this defeat, Valencia sits 19th out of 20 teams, increasingly desperate to clamber out of the relegation zone.
The match carried extra significance as it was rescheduled from November 2, following severe flash floods devastating the region, which resulted in loss of lives. The torrential downpour during October had caused widespread destruction, making the return to normalcy for football fans significant.
Real Madrid's victory was not just about the points; it reinforced their fighting spirit and determination. Under manager Carlo Ancelotti, they aim to show resilience and class. Bellingham concluded, "It's still early, and we have to keep our focus. We want to be leaders, but what matters is what happens in May when the trophies are decided. This is the type of performance we need weekly.”
On this night, as the stadium echoed with cheers of Madrid fans, it was clear: Real Madrid once again proved why they are the champions, turning dire moments and setbacks on their head.