Jude Bellingham Shines Again as Real Madrid Dominate Girona
Real Madrid fans, rejoice! Jude Bellingham is officially “back,” and Carlo Ancelotti couldn’t be happier. The English midfielder was the star of the show in Real Madrid’s commanding 3-0 victory over Girona on Saturday, scoring his fifth goal in as many LaLiga games. If you’ve been keeping tabs on Bellingham’s recent form, you know this is the kind of performance that has Madridistas buzzing with excitement.
The action unfolded at Montilivi, where Bellingham opened the scoring in the 36th minute. But he wasn’t done there. The England international also set up a second goal for his teammate, Arda Güler, before being subbed off in the 61st minute due to some discomfort in his left leg. While fans held their breath, Ancelotti quickly put any injury concerns to rest.
“Bellingham is OK,” Ancelotti assured reporters when asked if the midfielder might miss Madrid’s crucial Champions League clash against Atalanta on Tuesday. “His leg was a bit tired, and he didn’t want to take a risk in the last minutes. He’ll be available. Bellingham is back. He’s scored in five games in a row. He’s back, and in good form.”
Bellingham’s Scoring Streak
It’s hard to believe that Bellingham didn’t find the back of the net for Madrid this season until November 11. Since then, he’s been on fire, scoring against Osasuna, Leganés, Getafe, Athletic Club, and now Girona. Talk about a hot streak! His contributions have been vital in keeping Real Madrid within striking distance of league leaders Barcelona, who are just two points ahead with Madrid holding a game in hand.
But Bellingham wasn’t the only one making headlines. Kylian Mbappé, who has faced his fair share of criticism this season, added the third goal in the 62nd minute to seal the win. The French superstar was full of praise for his teammate after the match.
“[It’s] incredible, he’s a great player. Playing here at Madrid with top-quality players is a pleasure. Jude had a great game today,” Mbappé told RMTV.
Mbappé’s Redemption Arc?
Mbappé’s transition to Real Madrid hasn’t been without its challenges. After joining the club on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, the French forward has faced criticism for some of his performances. However, his display against Girona showed glimpses of the player Madrid fans were so eager to see in white.
“[I feel] good. It’s part of my job, to help the team in every game, to play with personality and help the team to win,” Mbappé said post-match. It’s clear he’s determined to silence the doubters and prove his worth at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Injury Updates: Mendy and Rodrygo
While Bellingham’s leg discomfort turned out to be a non-issue, not all of Madrid’s injury news was as positive. Left-back Ferland Mendy was forced off with a muscular injury and will miss the Atalanta game. Ancelotti also provided an update on Rodrygo, who was left out of the matchday squad against Girona.
“Rodrygo didn’t feel well, and we preferred to leave him behind at Valdebebas [Madrid’s training ground] to work,” Ancelotti explained. “I think he’ll be available on Tuesday.”
Arda Güler’s Breakthrough Moment
Another bright spot for Madrid was the performance of 19-year-old Arda Güler, who scored his first goal for the club this season. It wasn’t an easy start for the young midfielder, as Ancelotti admitted.
“It was hard for Arda to get into the game,” Ancelotti said. “He didn’t get it right in the first half, but in the second half, a fantastic run and a fantastic goal… He’s young and he has a lot of pressure around him. This goal is good for him to take the pressure off.”
What’s Next for Real Madrid?
With this win, Real Madrid continues to keep the pressure on Barcelona in the LaLiga title race. Up next is a high-stakes Champions League clash against Atalanta on Tuesday. With Bellingham in red-hot form and Mbappé finding his rhythm, Madrid fans have every reason to feel optimistic.
Here’s a quick recap of the key takeaways from the Girona match:
- Jude Bellingham scored his fifth goal in five LaLiga games and assisted Arda Güler’s goal.
- Kylian Mbappé added a third goal, silencing some of his critics.
- Ferland Mendy will miss the Atalanta game due to a muscular injury.
- Rodrygo is expected to return for Tuesday’s Champions League match.
- Arda Güler scored his first goal for Real Madrid, a confidence booster for the 19-year-old.
As the season heats up, all eyes will be on Madrid to see if they can maintain this momentum. With players like Bellingham and Mbappé stepping up, the sky’s the limit for Los Blancos.
Originally Written by: Alex Kirkland
