PA Media/dpa
London
Jude Bellingham atoned for a penalty miss by firing 10-man Real Madrid to the top of the La Liga table with a stoppage-time winner in a thrilling 2-1 comeback success at struggling Valencia.
England midfielder Bellingham, who hit a post from the spot with his team trailing, struck six minutes into added time at the Mestalla after assisting Luka Modric’s 85th-minute leveller.
Carlos Corberan looked set to celebrate a dream start as Valencia manager following Hugo Duro’s fifth goal of the season in the first half of an incident-packed clash.
But the reigning Spanish champions, who had Vinicius Junior sent off for violent conduct in the 79th minute, hit back in dramatic fashion to leapfrog rivals Atletico Madrid at the summit.
Real also saw a Kylian Mbappe effort disallowed during a frantic second half which they dominated, while they survived a late twist when forward Luis Rioja rattled the woodwork for the hosts in the 10th minute of added time.
Valencia - who appointed former West Brom boss Corberan on Christmas Day, following the sacking of Ruben Baraja - remain second bottom, with just two wins all season.
Real were back action for the first time since a 4-2 success over Sevilla on December 22, for a fixture which was postponed in November due to fatal flooding in the Valencian region.
Vinicius returned from suspension as part of two changes for the visitors, while boyhood Valencia fan Corberan opted for just one alteration to the hosts’ starting XI which began the 2-2 draw with Alaves.
After Federico Valverde shot straight at home goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski, Valencia almost enjoyed a perfect start but Duro’s thumping seventh-minute strike was pushed away by Thibaut Courtois.
Madrid goalkeeper Courtois was then grateful Andre Almeida’s free header was directed straight at him before pulling off a good save to deny Valencia captain Dimitri Foulquier.
Backed by a vocal support reinvigorated by the start of a new era, the hosts claimed a deserved lead in the 27th minute.
With Real appealing in vain for a possible foul on Rodrygo by Yarek Gasiorowski, marauding wing-back Foulquier again broke down the right and, after Javi Guerra’s initial effort was parried by Courtois, Duro was left with a simple tap-in.
Real, playing in their orange away strip, struggled to find their rhythm in a difficult first half.
Valverde sent a dipping effort from distance just over before Vinicius’ low shot was repelled by the left foot of Dimitrievski.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti resisted making changes at the break and his side were gifted a golden chance to level just after the restart.
Referee Cesar Soto Grado pointed to the spot when Mbappe tumbled under a challenge from Cesar Tarrega but Bellingham’s 55th-minute penalty bounced back off the base of the right post.
Real were again frustrated four minutes later when Mbappe rounded Dimitrievski and prodded home from Bellingham’s through ball, only to be ruled marginally offside.
The away side continued to control proceedings but were left facing an uphill battle when, following VAR intervention, Vinicius was dismissed in the 79th minute for pushing his hand into the head of keeper Dimitrievski.
Veteran midfielder Modric came on to replace Dani Ceballos in the aftermath of the red card and rescued his side - five minutes from time - by poking in his first goal of the season following Bellingham’s through ball.
