🔗 Share this article Bellingham Returns to Goalscoring Ways as Real Madrid Narrowly Defeat Juventus While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois. Key Saves Secure the Win Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading. “An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance. The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27. Strong Opening for Away Side The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected wide. What followed, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third one took a deflection; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão. Turkish Talent Impresses Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham. There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to his teammate to blast over. Jude Bellingham slots the ball home from close range for the decisive strike of the game in Real Madrid’s victory over Juventus. Late Tension The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the center to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop. Next the usual pattern occurred, the save compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and Brahim Díaz. It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the encounter. “It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.” Regarding his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”