MADRID (AP) — Jude Bellingham ended his season’s scoring drought on Wednesday as Real Madrid scored a second-half goal to beat Juventus 1-0. This gave the Spanish powerhouse a perfect record in the Champions League.
Bellingham found the back of the net in the 57th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium to give Madrid their third win in three Europa League games.
Bellingham underwent surgery over the summer and missed the start of the season. He did not play until September, when he came on as a substitute against Espanyol in the Spanish league. The England international made just his seventh appearance of the season on Wednesday.
Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said: “I’m very happy for Jude.” “After the injury, he needed a good game. In addition to scoring, he also played very well. He deserved a game like this to feel comfortable again.”
Bellingham had not scored since the Club World Cup in June. Madrid forward Vinicius Junior took a shot inside the area, picked up the rebound that was saved by Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, and scored from close range to end the drought.
“He’s starting to play his best again,” Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois said of Bellingham. “He had a great game.”
Courtois, playing his 300th game for Madrid, made several tough saves, including in a one-on-one situation early in the second half, to lead the hosts to a clean sheet victory.
Midfielder Arda Güler was named Man of the Match for controlling the game in Madrid’s midfield. The hosts had 27 shots on target compared to 12 for Juventus, but they are yet to win in the league.
Madrid defender Raul Asensio was sent off late in the second half with an apparent muscle injury.
Madrid host Barcelona on Sunday in the Spanish league’s Clasico.
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AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
