Jude Bellingham scores again as win over Villarreal takes Real Madrid top
Real Madrid moved to the top of La Liga with a 4-1 victory over Villareal at the Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham’s dream debut season in Madrid continued when he opened the scoring and a strike before the break from Rodrygo helped give Los Blancos a commanding half-time lead.
Villareal fought back in the second half when Jose Luis Morales pulled a goal back but further goals from Brahim Diaz and Luka Modric ensured Madrid returned to winning ways in emphatic fashion.
I've seen this celebration more than I've seen my family this year. pic.twitter.com/nOiPg8unrC
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) December 17, 2023
Madrid forced the opening chance inside eight minutes when Bellingham headed into the grasp of goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen from inside the box.
The hosts dominated the early parts of the contest with wave after wave of attack and came within inches of the first goal when Modric’s curling effort from outside the area kissed the top of the crossbar.
Madrid inevitably took the lead a couple of minutes later when England midfielder Bellingham headed home from Modric’s cross for his 17th goal of the season.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side doubled their advantage in the 38th minute after Modric’s corner caused a scramble inside the area and the ball popped to Rodrygo who placed into the back of the net. The goal was initially ruled out but was given following a brief VAR check.
Villareal responded nine minutes after the break as Dani Parejo picked out Morales in between Nacho Fernandez and Antonio Rudiger and the forward slotted past Andriy Lunin to cut the deficit to one.
Madrid almost instantly regained their two-goal cushion after Rodrygo latched onto Lucas Vazquez’s long ball and attempted to poke it past Jorgensen, but the keeper was on
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