Real Madrid midfielder Jude Bellingham celebrates goal against Valencia, at the Mestalla Stadium in Valenica, Spain.
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Real Madrid Tops LaLiga Table After Victory At Valencia

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Late strikes from Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham earned 10-man Real Madrid a 2-1 win at relegation-threatened Valencia on Friday, as the visitors moved top of the Spanish LaLiga standings.

The match, rescheduled due to devastating floods in the region late in October, kicked off in a tense atmosphere after home fans clashed with police during protests against the club outside the Mestalla stadium.

On the pitch, Valcencia’s Hugo Duro put Valencia ahead in the 27th minute by tapping into an open goal after goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had blocked Javi Guerra’s first close-range effort.

Valcencia’s Hugo Duro celebrates goal.

Real pushed hard for an equaliser, but Bellingham missed a golden chance to score with a poor penalty that hit the post, after Enzo Barrenechea’s foul on Kylian Mbappe in the 55th minute.

Madrid were then reduced to 10 men in the 79th minute when Vinicius Jr was shown a straight red card for slapping Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski.

Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr (R) puts hands on Valencia goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski (L).

The Brazil forward later apologised for his behaviour on his X account where he wrote: “Sorry and thank you team”.

But substitute Modric finally brought the visitors level when he beat Dimitrievski with a low shot off Jude Bellingham’s through ball five minutes from time.

The England midfielder then sealed the win, bearing down on goal before calmly beating the keeper with a right-footed finish to hand the hosts their first loss under new coach Carlos Corberan.

Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham scores goal against Valencia.

“The missed penalty gave (Bellingham) extra motivation, he gave a few minutes as only he can do,” 

“He worked hard, the goal is a deserved reward for him for the game he played,” coach Ancelotti told reporters.

Real Madrid moved on to 43 points, two clear of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who have a game in hand.

Valencia remain second-bottom with 12 points, four points from the safety zone.

Source Reuters LaLiga English
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