JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia — Jude Bellingham has once again proven to be a key player for Real Madrid, leading the team to victory in the Spanish Super Cup semifinal with a solid 3-0 win over Mallorca on Thursday.
The young English midfielder, who was the top scorer for Madrid last season, has found his rhythm this year after a slow start. He has now scored seven goals in his last eight matches in the Spanish league. In this crucial semifinal, Bellingham scored a pivotal goal in the 63rd minute, breaking through Mallorca’s tough defense that had been holding strong until then.
Bellingham found the back of the net after a flurry of shots from Madrid. His teammates Rodrygo and Kylian Mbappé had already tested the Mallorca goalkeeper, Dominik Greif, before Bellingham seized the rebound, skillfully placing his shot just out of reach of the defenders and the oncoming keeper.
Madrid didn’t stop there; they added two more goals in stoppage time. An own goal by Mallorca’s Martin Valjent made it 2-0, as he accidentally redirected a pass from Brahim Díaz into his own net. Rodrygo then capped off the scoring by netting Madrid’s third goal.
The match ended with a minor altercation after the final whistle. Bellingham tapped Mallorca defender Pablo Maffeo on the back of the neck following a game filled with tense confrontations, especially between Maffeo and Vinícius Júnior.
Real Madrid will face Barcelona in the final on Sunday, further heightening the stakes of this storied rivalry. However, the match was not without its injuries, as Madrid lost midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni in the 54th minute due to a head injury, which brought young player Raúl Asencio into the game.
This year’s tournament has taken place in Saudi Arabia, where the Spanish Football Federation has been capitalizing on a lucrative deal initiated in 2019. The Super Cup, once regarded as a less prominent trophy, has now become a significant financial opportunity for teams and the league.
Former Madrid star Karim Benzema, who now plays in the Saudi league, was present at the match, adding to the event’s appeal. Fans and players alike will be looking forward to an exciting final as Madrid aims to claim yet another title.
