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It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.

Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory

The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.

“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.

Juventus, who hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.

Strong Opening for Away Side

They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected wide.

What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third took a deflection; another chance with the head was wasted by Militão.

Turkish Talent Impresses

Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.

Little was seen of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. First his attempt was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to blast over.

Late Tension

Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the inside of his foot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.

Next the usual pattern occurred, the save compensated for by the goal that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.

There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the final seconds Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.

“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”

As for his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”