Madrid, Jan 4 (AP) Jude Bellingham missed a penalty but scored a late winner and Vinicius Jr. was sent off as 10-man Real Madrid fought back in the most dramatic of fashions to beat Valencia 2-1 and return to the top of La Liga. Luka Modric's 85th minute equalizer and Bellingham's stoppage time winner ensured that Madrid avoided back-to-back defeats in La Liga for the first time since 2019.
Also Read | ISL 2024-25: Mohammedan SC Halt NorthEast United's Goal-Scoring Spree With 0-0 Draw. The win took it to 43 points, two above city rival Atletico, albeit having played a game more. The match at the Mestalla pitted second from bottom against second from top and it was the struggling home side which took the lead after 27 minutes.
Hugo Duro stabbed the ball into the empty net after it came back off the post. Also Read | SA vs PAK 2nd Test 2024-25: Ryan Rickelton, Temba Bavuma Tons Help South Africa Dominate Day 1 Against Visitors. Madrid came into the game more in the second half but it looked like it would be a frustrating night for the capital club.
Kylian Mbappé won a penalty after 55 minutes but Bellingham's shot hit the post and moments later the Frenchman himself saw a goal disallowed after a video review. Things got worse for Real with 11 minutes remaining when Vinicius pushed goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski and the referee, after a long video review, showed the Brazilian a red card. However, Real is never out of it and Carlo Ancelotti's late changes turned the game around.
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