Real Madrid beat Las Palmas 2-0 despite starting goalkeeper Jude Bellingham being substituted for the first time this season.
Vinicius, now in peak physical condition, joined Bellingham on the substitutes’ bench. The Brazilian played the remaining 30 minutes, but their mission was already accomplished.
Carlo Ancelotti defended his midfield diamond, in which Brahim Diaz would start in place of Bellingham, despite the diamond’s failure to produce results in the Madrid derby.
He also opened the scoring, which was followed by a goal from Joselu. The big central forward didn’t play in the Madrid derby, but he scored the game-winning goal in his fourth home game.
Bellingham, the talented player he is, saw Real Madrid start slowly. After 20 minutes of possession, Joselu wasted a feed from Antonio Rudiger that put the ball in the back of the net.
Next, Joselu set up Brahim, but the latter’s first touch was too heavy, and Alvaro Valles came out to make the save. Because of this, the forward was caught by his follow-through, leading to a shaky penalty claim.Brahim was offered another opportunity shortly afterward, but this time his shot was terribly off target and the offside flag saved the day.ImageAfter Nacho tested Valles’s resolve with a shot, the keeper thwarted a Joselu attempt. Just before the intermission, he freed himself from Joselu once more, this time by using his feet. It looked like there was no way to beat the Las Palmas goalkeeper.Things took a turn for the worst after a tough first half when David Alaba limped out with an injury. Nacho now plays central defense as Lucas Vazquez took his spot.ImageBrahim took a touch before finishing at the top of the net after a cross from the right by substitute Lucas, giving Madrid a 1-0 lead at the break.Joselu, who had wasted many good opportunities in the first half, scored Madrid’s second goal from a Rodrygo pass with 10 minutes remaining. Vinicius entered the game at the hour mark and had a few fantastic touches, but Madrid had already won the game and moved ahead of Barcelona in the standings. ImageGirona won the simultaneous start but is presently behind Villarreal.