Jude Bellingham’s second-half strike earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Juventus on Wednesday, preserving the 15-time champions’ perfect start to this season’s UEFA Champions League.
Xabi Alonso’s side dominated for large spells at the Santiago Bernabéu, but were made to work for all three points. England international Bellingham tucked home from close range after Vinícius Júnior’s effort hit the post in the 57th minute.
Juventus, now winless in seven matches in all competitions, defended resolutely and threatened on the counter, but could not find an equaliser. Thibaut Courtois—making his 300th appearance for Madrid—produced key saves, including a late stop from Filip Kostić, to secure the victory.
“It was a tough game with chances at both ends. We had to sweat for the win, but it was important against a big team,” Courtois told Movistar.
The result leaves Madrid among five teams with three wins from three in the league phase, alongside holders Paris Saint-Germain, and provides a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona.
After a cagey first half, the game came to life following the break. Courtois thwarted Dušan Vlahović on a Juventus counter before Vinícius created the breakthrough. Bellingham reacted fastest to convert the rebound for his first goal of the season, having only recently returned from shoulder surgery.
Kylian Mbappé—who had scored in 11 straight games—missed several chances to extend the lead, while Juventus came close late through Lois Openda, only for Raúl Asencio to make a crucial block.
“We’ve started the group phase in the best possible way,” said Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni. “They defend well, so it wasn’t easy, but we were confident we would score.”Jude Bellingham’s second-half strike earned Real Madrid a 1-0 win over Juventus on Wednesday, preserving the 15-time champions’ perfect start to this season’s UEFA Champions League.
Xabi Alonso’s side dominated for large spells at the Santiago Bernabéu, but were made to work for all three points. England international Bellingham tucked home from close range after Vinícius Júnior’s effort hit the post in the 57th minute.
Juventus, now winless in seven matches in all competitions, defended resolutely and threatened on the counter, but could not find an equaliser. Thibaut Courtois—making his 300th appearance for Madrid—produced key saves, including a late stop from Filip Kostić, to secure the victory.
“It was a tough game with chances at both ends. We had to sweat for the win, but it was important against a big team,” Courtois told Movistar.
The result leaves Madrid among five teams with three wins from three in the league phase, alongside holders Paris Saint-Germain, and provides a timely boost ahead of Sunday’s El Clásico against Barcelona.
After a cagey first half, the game came to life following the break. Courtois thwarted Dušan Vlahović on a Juventus counter before Vinícius created the breakthrough. Bellingham reacted fastest to convert the rebound for his first goal of the season, having only recently returned from shoulder surgery.
Kylian Mbappé—who had scored in 11 straight games—missed several chances to extend the lead, while Juventus came close late through Lois Openda, only for Raúl Asencio to make a crucial block.
“We’ve started the group phase in the best possible way,” said Madrid midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni. “They defend well, so it wasn’t easy, but we were confident we would score.”
