Jude Bellingham’s first goal of the season proved decisive as Real Madrid maintained their perfect start to the Champions League campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Juventus at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night.
The England midfielder struck in the 57th minute to secure all three points for the 15-time European champions, ensuring Igor Tudor’s men remain winless after three group games, with just two points to their name.
Real Madrid were far from their fluid best ahead of Sunday’s El Clásico clash with Barcelona, and they had goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, making his 300th appearance for the club, to thank for several crucial saves that kept Juventus at bay before Bellingham’s breakthrough.
The visitors began brightly, with Dusan Vlahovic almost converting Pierre Kalulu’s early cross before Courtois twice denied Weston McKennie and Federico Gatti in quick succession.
Los Blancos struggled for rhythm in the opening stages but slowly grew into the game, with Aurélien Tchouaméni threatening twice from Arda Güler’s corners.
Madrid’s attacking trio of Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Bellingham initially found little space against a compact Juve defence.
However, moments after halftime, Vinícius weaved through the visitors’ backline and saw his low strike cannon off the post—only for Bellingham to react fastest and fire home the rebound.
The goal settled Madrid, and they pushed for a second. Federico Valverde’s thunderous volley was blocked by Gatti, while Di Gregorio produced a fine double save to deny Mbappé and Brahim Díaz in quick succession.
Juventus threatened a late equaliser through Loïs Openda and Filip Kostic, but Courtois stood firm to preserve his clean sheet and seal another European win for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
With three wins from three, Real Madrid sit comfortably atop their group, while Juventus’ hopes of progression are already hanging by a thread.
