Jude Bellingham’s first goal of the season proved decisive as Real Madrid edged past Juventus 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu in a hard-fought Champions League encounter tonight.
The England midfielder, returning to full fitness after a shoulder injury, was the match-winner on a night when Madrid’s dominance in possession was not always matched by cutting edge.
His 56th-minute strike ensured the Spanish giants maintained their perfect European start, while Juventus’ struggles deepened as they remained winless in the competition.
Juventus could have taken an early lead. Thibaut Courtois was called into action twice in the opening stages, denying Weston McKennie and Federico Gatti.
The visitors’ 5-3-2 set-up caused Madrid brief discomfort as Dusan Vlahovic’s physical presence unsettled the back line.
Madrid gradually began probing through Brahim Diaz and Arda Guler, though most of their first-half efforts lacked conviction.
Aurelien Tchouameni headed two corners over the bar, and Eder Militao also spurned a half-chance, as Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior struggled to find their rhythm.
The Frenchman went closest to breaking the deadlock before half-time, forcing Michele Di Gregorio into a smart save from the edge of the box after linking up neatly with Diaz.
Courtois once again kept Madrid level after the break, blocking Vlahovic’s angled shot after he had raced clear on goal. It was a crucial moment.
Vinicius carved through the Juventus defence with trademark agility, his low shot rebounding off the post for Bellingham to sweep home from close range.
Madrid pressed for a second, with Mbappe and Federico Valverde both denied by fine saves from Di Gregorio, while Vinicius was thwarted twice in quick succession as the hosts pushed to seal the result.
Juventus nearly snatched an equaliser late on when Courtois superbly stopped Khephren Thuram’s effort.
It was not a vintage display from Madrid, but it was enough to make it three wins from three in the league phase.
Juventus, now sitting in the bottom half of the standings, will need a swift turnaround to avoid an early exit from the competition.
