Jude Bellingham showcased his prowess on the field, netting twice before an unfortunate injury halted his stellar performance as Real Madrid dominated title contenders Girona, securing a five-point lead in La Liga. The Bernabeu erupted early as Vinicius Jr unleashed a sensational long-range strike, setting the tone for Madrid’s commanding display.
Bellingham, operating in fine form, capitalized on a sublime Vinicius pass to open his account for the evening before notching his 20th goal of the season after the break. Rodrygo further extended Madrid’s lead, leaving Girona struggling to regain composure. Despite a late penalty scare from Joselu, who struck the post, Madrid’s dominance remained unchallenged.
However, Bellingham’s stellar night was marred by injury, as he was forced off following an ankle collision with Pablo Torre. Despite his determination to soldier on, Bellingham eventually succumbed to the injury, being substituted for Brahim Diaz. Manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed hope for Bellingham’s swift recovery, labeling the injury as a mere sprained ankle.
Bellingham’s Record-breaking Season
Bellingham’s impact at Real Madrid has been nothing short of extraordinary since his £88m transfer from Borussia Dortmund last summer. The English midfielder has rewritten the record books, surpassing legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Alfredo Di Stefano, and Pruden Sanchez by becoming the highest-scoring midfielder in a single La Liga season this century.
In addition to his La Liga exploits, Bellingham’s Champions League performances have been equally remarkable. He became the first Madrid player to score in each of his first four appearances in the competition. Despite a slight dip in goals since the turn of the year, Bellingham’s versatility and contribution across offensive and defensive duties have not gone unnoticed, earning him acclaim as one of La Liga’s standout players.
Spanish football journalist Guillem Balague lauds Bellingham’s evolution into a “complete midfielder” at the Bernabeu, highlighting his multifaceted contributions beyond goal-scoring. Vinicius Jr also hailed Bellingham’s impact, labeling him as a star and underscoring his pivotal role in Madrid’s success this season.
Madrid’s Unbeaten Run Continues
Real Madrid’s emphatic victory over Girona extends their unbeaten run in La Liga to an impressive 18 matches, marking their longest streak since 2021. Despite slipping to just their second league defeat of the campaign, Girona maintains a commendable position in the top four, reflecting their strong performance throughout the season.
The win solidifies Madrid’s position at the top of the La Liga table, maintaining a comfortable five-point lead over their title rivals. With Bellingham’s injury being closely monitored ahead of Tuesday’s crucial Champions League clash against RB Leipzig, Madrid remains hopeful of maintaining their momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
