Jude Bellingham struck the decisive goal as Real Madrid edged Juventus 1–0 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, maintaining their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Gatekeepers News reports that the 15-time European champions, managed by Xabi Alonso, dominated much of the contest but were made to work hard for the win against a resilient Juventus side now without victory in seven matches across all competitions.
After a goalless first half, Bellingham broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, reacting quickest to a rebound after Vinícius Júnior’s curling effort came back off the post. The goal was the 22-year-old English midfielder’s first of the season, marking his return to form following shoulder surgery in the summer.
Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, making his 300th appearance for the club, delivered a commanding performance, denying Dušan Vlahović and Filip Kostić to preserve the clean sheet.
“I’m very happy with the win. It was a very tough game with chances at both ends and we had to sweat for it, but it was an important win against a big team,” Courtois told Movistar.
“They are Juve, not a small side, and when they defend with 11 men and want to go on the counter, it’s not easy.”
Madrid created several opportunities through Kylian Mbappé, whose pace and dribbling unsettled the visitors, though the French forward’s finishing touch eluded him. Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio kept his side in contention with a string of superb saves, including a late double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
Despite Juventus pushing for an equaliser, Raúl Asencio’s late block on Loïs Openda’s shot ensured Madrid’s third consecutive victory in the group stage.
Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni praised his team’s resilience after the match.
“We’ve started this group phase in the best way possible,” he said. “We faced a good team that defend well, but we were confident we would score.”
The win provided ideal preparation for Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona, as Real Madrid remain one of five teams with a perfect record in this season’s Champions League, alongside holders Paris Saint-Germain.
