Real Madrid secured a 1-0 victory over Juventus in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, extending their perfect start to the 2025/26 season. Jude Bellingham scored the lone goal after Vinicius Junior's shot hit the post. The win came despite an inconsistent performance from the hosts.
Real Madrid hosted Juventus in a UEFA Champions League group stage match at the Santiago Bernabéu, emerging with a narrow 1-0 win that maintained their unbeaten run. The game's decisive moment arrived in the second half when Vinicius Junior danced through Juventus' defense, his shot striking the post before Jude Bellingham slotted home the rebound. This individual brilliance proved crucial against Juventus' compact low block, featuring three center-backs and deep defending with five at the back.
The first half was subdued, with Real Madrid registering 14 shots but only four on target, while Juventus managed just three attempts and 0.08 expected goals. Éder Militão led Madrid's shot tally in the opening period with four efforts. At halftime, the score remained 0-0, prompting Juventus coach Igor Tudor to shift tactics, increasing their second-half shots to 10 but generating only 0.51 expected goals.
Real Madrid responded with 14 second-half shots of their own, creating 1.74 expected goals, though Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio made several key saves. Thibaut Courtois was called into action early in the second half for the hosts. Player of the Match Arda Güler excelled in a 'quarterback' role, controlling tempo and providing creativity, as noted by coach Xabi Alonso: "When he participates in the play, we have a better dynamic."
Alonso praised Bellingham for a "complete game," highlighting his finishing, chance creation, and ball-winning deeper on the pitch. UEFA Technical Observer Rafa Benítez emphasized the need for individual magic: "When space is tight, you need the ability of individuals to make a difference." Kylian Mbappé also shone, using footwork to set up a shooting chance for Militão. The result underscores Real Madrid's reliance on stars like Vinicius to break down organized defenses.