- Real Madrid have now scored eight goals in two games without Jude Bellingham
- They defeated Valencia 5–1, with Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo and Dani Carvajal scoring
- What is the WORST hat-trick in the Premier League? – Find out on Everything is coming
Jude Bellingham saw Real Madrid put five past Valencia thanks to doubles from Brazilians Vinicius and Rodrgyo.
The England midfielder dislocated his shoulder in the first half of Madrid’s last league match against Rayo Vallecano and sat next to his mother Denise as his team won comfortably.
Without him they have scored eight goals in two games, albeit against a very generous defense against which he would have thrived.
It was difficult to say which of the two first-half goals was stranger: Dani Carvajal scored from distance with his left foot or Vinicius scored with his chest.
Carvajal’s goal came after three minutes. He took Toni Kroos’ long diagonal pass in his stride and whipped a left-foot shot from the right past Giorgi Mamardashvili and just inside the post. His first touch wasn’t great and the ball kept bouncing in front of him, but Valencia were slow to close him down and he punished them with his second goal of the season – his first league goals since 2021.
Dani Carvajal, who rarely scores, opened the game with a long-range left-footed strike
Vinicius Jr scored a double with goals either side of half-time in the defeat to Valencia
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That goal came after three minutes and it was three minutes before half time when Vinicius doubled the lead. Rodrygo crossed from the right and he probably could have slotted in feet first, but he launched himself at the ball and it flashed past Mamardashvili.
Valencia had spells of losing position and created two clear chances in the first half, but on both occasions Andriy Lunin saved well from Hugo Duro. Lunin continues to deputize for Kepa Arrizabalaga in such a way that it will be difficult for the Chelsea loanee to simply walk back into the team when he returns from his thigh injury after the international break.
Valencia continued to give Real Madrid far too much space and when they left Vinicius behind in the 49th minute, it was 3-0. He drove low past Mamardashvili. Madrid’s Brazilians now ran riot and when the Valencia keeper gifted Rodrygo with possession he scored the fourth.
Valencia were sunk without a trace and it was only minute 50. And as they looked at the bench, Luka Modric prepared to come on. He replaced Fede Valverde and joined Eduardo Camavinga in the center of the field.
Rodrygo compounded Valencia’s misery with two second-half goals at the Bernabéu
Eduardo Camavinga, celebrating with Vinicius Jr., led the match from midfield after signing a new contract
Jude Bellingham, pictured against Rayo Vallecano, dropped out of the match with his mother, Denise, due to injury
Hugo Duro provided a late consolation for Valencia, but his valiant efforts to bring the ball back to the center circle were ultimately in vain.
The 21-year-old French midfielder led the match. He signed a new contract last week – many would be relaxed; in contrast, he played as if a new deal depended on it.
The match dragged on for Valencia – it was boys against men for the youngest team in La Liga and Carvajal almost scored a second. He tried to squeeze a shot inside Mamardashvili’s near post, but the keeper made a good save.
Vinicius was especially driven to make the score 5-0 with a hat trick. At the other end, Duro’s head still hadn’t fallen and one crossed the bar. He finally scored three minutes after Hugo Gonzalez’s cross.
By then, Madrid already had five after Rodrygo turned and turned away from Gabriel Paulista and sent it past the Valencia keeper again.