In a game of drama, excitement, and late heroics, Real Madrid pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory over Valencia at the Mestalla on 3rd January 2025. The scoreline was not just about the goals but a tale of resilience, tactical changes, and individual brilliance. Let’s break it down in a way that even young readers can enjoy and learn from.
What Happened in the Match?
First Half: Valencia Took the Lead
The match kicked off with attacking plays from both sides. The relegation fighter, Valencia, managed to open the score in the 27th minute of the game. Quick reacting Hugo Duro was present when Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois saved a shot but couldn’t hold onto the ball. Duro kicked it into the net to make it 1-0 to Valencia.
Real Madrid tried hard to score before halftime but couldn’t get past Valencia’s strong defense. The first half ended with Valencia leading.
Second Half: Real Madrid’s Struggles
Real Madrid started the second half stronger. They had the opportunity to equalize when Kylian Mbappé won a penalty in the 55th minute. Up came Jude Bellingham, who struck the post! A big miss for Real Madrid.
Later, Mbappé scored a goal, but the referee used VAR and called it offside. Things got worse for Real Madrid in the 79th minute when Vinícius Júnior was shown a red card for hitting Valencia’s goalkeeper during an argument; this means Real Madrid had to play with one less player for the rest of the match.
Late Comeback: Real Madrid’s Magic
Even with just 10 players on the field, Real Madrid didn’t give up. Luka Modric, who came into the game as a substitute, scored in the 85th minute to make it 1-1. It was an amazing goal after a clever pass from Jude Bellingham.
Just when the game was sure to end all square, Bellingham made amends for his earlier miss from the spot. Deep into extra time, in the 95th minute, he scored a fantastic goal after a mistake in the Valencia defense; this sealed an incredible 2-1 victory for Real Madrid!
Key Moments
- Valencia Goal: Hugo Duro scored in the 27th minute after Thibaut Courtois saved an initial shot but couldn’t hold onto the ball.
- Penalty Miss: Jude Bellingham hit the post on a penalty kick in the second half.
- Red Card Incident: Vinícius Júnior received a red card for slapping Valencia’s goalkeeper during an argument.
- Modric’s Equalizer: Luka Modric scored in the 85th minute with help from Jude Bellingham.
- Bellingham’s Redemption: Jude Bellingham scored in stoppage time to win the game as Valencia made the defensive error in the 95th minute.

Why Was This Game Important?
- For Real Madrid: The victory sees them climb into first place into La Liga, with a two-point cushion over nearest challengers Atlético Madrid.
- For Valencia: The defeat has them lingering near the bottom of the league table, making that fight against relegation even more daunting.
- For Fans: It was an example of why football is so exciting—anything can happen until the final whistle!
What Can We Learn From This Match?
This game teaches us some important lessons:
- Never Give Up: Even when things look tough, like being down to 10 players, you can still achieve great things if you keep trying.
- Teamwork Matters: Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham worked together brilliant to turn the game around.
- Mistakes cost: A howler at the back from Valencia in stoppage time gifted Real Madrid their winning goal.
Frequently Asked Questions About Football and This Match
Q: What is VAR?
A: VAR stands for Video Assistant Referee. It is a system where referees can seek the help of video footage to take decisions on very important moments involving goals or fouls.
Q: Why was Vinícius Júnior red-carded?
A: He slapped the keeper of Valencia during an altercation, which is not allowed according to the rules of football.
Q: What is “stoppage time”?
A: Stoppage time is extra time added to the end of each half of play, to account for time lost during the game-the most common examples being injuries and substitutions.
Q: How does this win help Real Madrid?
A: It places them at the top in La Liga standings and boosts their confidence for upcoming matches.