Jude Bellingham scored his first Real Madrid goal of the season as Los Blancos ran riot in a comprehensive victory over La Liga high-flyers Osasuna on Saturday.
Vinicius Junior helped himself to a hat-trick with Bellingham grabbing the other as Real put four past their opponents at the Bernabeu.
Kylian Mbappe, who came under criticism from Thierry Henry after the defeat to Milan, failed to get his name on the scoresheet, meaning the French international has found the next just once in his last seven games.
🏁 @RealMadridEN 4-0 @Osasuna_en
⚽ 34′ @ViniJr
⚽ 42′ @BellinghamJude
⚽ 61′ @ViniJr
⚽ 68′ @ViniJr #RealMadridOsasuna | @Emirates pic.twitter.com/JHatdt85kR— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) November 9, 2024
The result, however, will be a welcome one for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, following a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Barcelona in El Clasico and a 3-1 loss to Milan in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Bellingham was substituted in the 74th minute in the defeat to Milan and appeared to react angrily by kicking a bottle near the Madrid dugout.
And question marks had been raised about the 21-year-old and his lack of goals after he went 14 games without finding the net for Real.
It was a drought that was in stark contrast to Bellingham’s return last season – his first as a Real player – where he scored 23 times as Ancelotti’s team stormed to the league title and Champions League trophy.
But the dynamic midfielder answered his critics when, shortly before half-time, he latched onto a long-range pass from Raul Asencio before calmly lifting the ball over Osasuna keeper Sergio Herrera with his first touch.
🇬🇧 @BellinghamJude 🤝 @ViniJr 🇧🇷#RealMadridOsasuna pic.twitter.com/1jk1TldGcl
— Real Madrid C.F. 🇧🇷🇵🇹 (@realmadridpt) November 9, 2024
The goal came less than 10 minutes after Vinicius had given the hosts the lead.
Madrid went into the break two goals to the good before the Brazilian added two more after the hour mark to complete his hat-trick and give the Spanish giants a much-needed win.
The victory moves Real six points behind league leaders Barcelona, who travel to Real Sociedad on Sunday.
