In a crucial La Liga match against Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid found themselves 2-0 down and without star player Kylian Mbappé due to injury. But thanks to the impressive form of Jude Bellingham, who scored a late first-half goal and set up another, Real battled back to win 3-2. Bellingham's recent run of six goals and three assists in six La Liga games has been crucial for Carlo Ancelotti's team, proving that they can still thrive without their top players.
Jude Bellingham's Stellar Performance propels Real Madrid to Victory over Rayo Vallecano
In a thrilling La Liga encounter, Real Madrid overcame a two-goal deficit to defeat Rayo Vallecano 3-2, thanks in no small part to the brilliance of Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham's Impact
The 19-year-old English midfielder has been in scintillating form for Real Madrid this season. Despite the absence of star player Kylian Mbappé due to injury, Bellingham stepped up to the occasion.
He netted a vital first-half goal to reduce the deficit to 2-1. His incisive pass then set up Federico Valverde for the equalizer, sending the Bernabéu crowd into raptures.
Bellingham's impact goes beyond his goal contributions. His tireless work rate, dribbling ability, and passing range have made him a key figure in Ancelotti's system.
Real Madrid's Resilience
The victory over Rayo Vallecano showcased Real Madrid's resilience and their ability to overcome adversity. Despite falling behind early on, they refused to throw in the towel and fought back to secure all three points.
This win is particularly significant given the absence of Mbappé, who has been instrumental in Real Madrid's success this season. It demonstrates that the team possesses the depth and quality to perform well even without their top stars.
Background
Jude Bellingham joined Real Madrid from Borussia Dortmund in 2023 for a reported fee of €100 million. He has quickly established himself as a key player for the Spanish giants, making over 50 appearances in all competitions.
Bellingham's rise to prominence follows in the footsteps of other young English talents who have made waves in La Liga. Steve McManaman and Michael Owen both enjoyed successful spells with Real Madrid, while David Beckham and Gary Neville were key figures for Barcelona and Manchester United, respectively.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Who is Jude Bellingham?
Jude Bellingham is a 19-year-old English midfielder who plays for Real Madrid and the England national team.
2. What is Bellingham's position?
Bellingham is a versatile midfielder who can play as a deep-lying playmaker, a central midfielder, or an attacking midfielder.
3. How many goals has Bellingham scored for Real Madrid?
Bellingham has scored 13 goals in 55 appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions.
4. What is Bellingham's current market value?
According to Transfermarkt, Bellingham's estimated market value is €110 million.
5. What are Bellingham's strengths and weaknesses?
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Ahead of Game 3 of the Lakers' first-round playoff series and their first road game of the postseason against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Lakers coach JJ Redick shared his thoughts on the experience of playing in hostile environments. He described the thrill of silencing and even ruining the day of opposing fans who pay top dollar to watch their team, and the satisfaction that comes with winning on the road in the playoffs. Redick, known for his competitive and relentless nature, emphasized the unique allure of such moments outside of potentially winning a championship.
It was a historic night at Chepauk, as Sunrisers Hyderabad finally defeated Chennai Super Kings at their home ground after six failed attempts. CSK's fortress is now crumbling, with four home losses this season which matches their worst record in 2008 and 2012. SRH's win was fueled by a spectacular catch from Kusal Mendis, which turned the game in their favor and left CSK struggling for any hope of making it to the playoffs. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni's quest to create history in the CSK vs SRH match remained unfulfilled as SRH came out victorious.
Deepak Hooda, who was bought by CSK for INR 1.7 crore at the IPL 2024 mega auction, drew criticism from fans for his sluggish knock of 22 runs off 21 balls in their IPL 2025 match against SRH. This was following his poor performance in the previous three games for the team. Despite his overall record of 1494 runs in the IPL, Hooda's strike rate and consistency have been questioned by fans. Meanwhile, Harshal Patel's 4/28 helped SRH restrict CSK to 154, with debutants Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre contributing 42 and 30 runs, respectively.
In a thrilling IPL match, Sunrisers Hyderabad registered their first victory at the Chepauk by defeating Chennai Super Kings by five wickets. Harshal Patel's four-wicket haul and Ishan Kishan's fighting knock of 44 led the Sunrisers to victory. Captain Pat Cummins was relieved after the win and praised the team's clinical bowling performance. CSK could only manage 154 runs, thanks to brisk knocks from Dewald Brevis and Ayush Mhatre, and SRH easily chased down the target, fixing their poor record against CSK.
Former AEW star returns to WWE after four years, making an impressive and impactful entrance during SmackDown. After being released by WWE in 2021, Black debuted in AEW as Malakai Black and gained popularity with the fan-favorite faction, House of Black. Now, Black is back in WWE and fans are excited to see what he can bring to the ring.
Indian Olympic javelin champion, Neeraj Chopra, defends his decision to invite Pakistani athlete, Arshad Nadeem, to compete in the upcoming NC Classic event in India. Despite receiving backlash and even threats towards himself and his family, Chopra stands by his invitation and expresses disappointment in the doubting of his loyalty and integrity to his country. He also voices his thoughts and prayers for the victims of a recent terrorist attack in Kashmir.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra has faced criticism and hate for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. Neeraj clarified that the invitation was sent before the recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam and was solely based on Arshad's status as an Olympic gold medallist. He also stated that, in light of the tragedy, Arshad's participation in the event was no longer possible.
After a string of home defeats, Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally emerged victorious at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against the Rajasthan Royals, thanks to their captain Virat Kohli and a strong bowling unit. Kohli's unbeaten 70 runs and intense celebrations on the field reflected the high-stakes nature of the match, which saw both teams giving it their all. With this win, RCB moves up to the third spot on the league table with six wins in nine games.
India's star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, has spoken up about the criticism he received for inviting Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem to compete in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event. Despite declining the invitation, Nadeem's presence at the event was deemed inappropriate following the recent terror attacks in Pahalgam. Chopra clarified that the invitation was sent well before the attacks and expressed his love for his country and family amidst the backlash. He also addressed the false narratives being spread about him and his family and vowed to continue representing India with pride and integrity.
Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood's brilliant performance against Rajasthan Royals' batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal caught the attention of viewers during an IPL match between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Rajasthan Royals. In an intense competition, Hazlewood was able to dismiss Jaiswal just shy of a half-century, leading to a heated exchange between the two players. Hazlewood's final figures of 4 for 33 played a critical role in RCB's narrow 11-run victory.