MADRID: Jude Bellingham scored the ‘key’ goal as Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 in the Clasico on Sunday to go 11 points clear at the top of La Liga.
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised the England midfielder’s intervention in lifting Los Blancos to the Spanish title.
Madrid twice found the net with Vinicius Junior and Lucas Vazquez, and equalized through strikes from Andreas Christensen and Fermin Lopez, before Bellingham grabbed the winner.
“He came at the right time, he worked hard in the game, it’s been a long time since he scored and today he scored a goal that could win the league,” Ancelotti said.
Barcelona had a strong performance after being knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain in the second round, but were knocked out of last place by Bellingham.
While Bellingham’s knockout punch failed to excite the crowd at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid showed similar determination to stay in the game as they drew with Manchester City on their way to Europe’s last four.
Madrid’s top scorer with 21 goals in all competitions, the former Borussia Dortmund man scored twice in Madrid’s Clasico win over Barcelona in October and has shone at the age of 20 in his first season in Spain.
“We have taken a big step in La Liga,” said Vazquez, who has played a key role in Madrid’s three televised appearances.
Goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, Madrid’s penalty-saving hero against City, made an early mistake to give Barcelona the lead.
The Ukrainian came off his line to try and set up a corner, but didn’t get close to the ball and Christensen headed into an empty net.
However, Madrid took the lead through Vinicius who took advantage of a good opportunity before leveling from the ground.
Barcelona did not hold back and gave Lamin Yamamal and Eduardo Kamaving difficult chances.
