Key Takeaways:
- Real Madrid claimed a 1-0 win against Juventus in the third group stage round at the Santiago Bernabéu
- Jude Bellingham scored in the 52nd minute after an assist from Vinícius Júnior
- Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter, Bayern Munich, and Arsenal now top the standings with 9 points each
First-Half Balance Between Defensive Precision and Attacking Threats
At the renowned Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid edged Juventus 1-0 in front of a fervent crowd during the third round of the Champions League. Early on, Juventus pressed aggressively, generating real danger through Dušan Vlahović and Filip Kostić. Kostić narrowly missed the target, while Vlahović was thwarted only centimetres from scoring. Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois showed his class with several crucial saves, reinforcing his credentials as one of the world’s elite keepers.
As the match progressed, Real Madrid gained composure and started building attacks. Vinícius Júnior became a focal point down the left flank with his pace and unpredictability, while Jude Bellingham orchestrated play in midfield. A significant first-half moment occurred when Bellingham unleashed a long-range effort, drawing an outstanding save from Juventus keeper Michele Di Gregorio.
Real Madrid take care of business against Juventus.
Next up: El Clásico ⏳ pic.twitter.com/CCF1VSvTyi
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 22, 2025
Second Half: Decisive Play and Defensive Prowess
After the interval, Real Madrid increased the pressure and broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute. Vinícius Júnior dazzled with his dribbling skills, navigating past two opposing defenders before delivering a pinpoint pass to Jude Bellingham, who calmly converted past Di Gregorio. The goal ignited celebrations among the home faithful and allowed Real to consolidate control in midfield, focusing on maintaining their lead.
Juventus sought an equaliser with swift counterattacks orchestrated by Vlahović and Kostić, but the Real Madrid defence, superbly marshalled by Éder Militão, remained resolute. Militão notably denied Loïs Openda a certain goal and persistently disrupted Juventus’ forwards, making organised attacks challenging for the visitors. Courtois further underlined his influence with a vital one-on-one stop against Vlahović to guarantee his clean sheet.
Contribution from Key Players and Tactical Dominance
Kylian Mbappé was active for the hosts, although his shooting was off-target. Despite the missed attempts, his movement unsettled Juventus’ backline, creating opportunities for both Bellingham and Vinícius. Real Madrid’s tactical discipline in midfield enabled them to dictate tempo and shield their defence from major threats.
This result fortifies Real Madrid’s claim as a frontrunner for qualification to the round of 16. Conversely, Juventus will need to address shortcomings in their next Champions League outings to remain contenders for progression.
