Kylian Mbappé failed to score on Wednesday, ending his remarkable run of 11 consecutive matches finding the back of the net. The French star fell just one short of matching the record shared by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland, who both reached 12 straight scoring games.

Meanwhile, in the same match, Jude Bellingham finally found his way back to goal. He hadn’t scored since June 22, and his strike against Juventus meant more than just a statistic—it symbolized his recovery after undergoing shoulder surgery during the Club World Cup.

Bellingham’s Road to Recovery

Bellingham decided to have surgery during the international break to put an end to the discomfort that forced him to play with a protective brace. He returned earlier than expected, on September 20, gradually earning minutes against Espanyol and Levante before reclaiming a starting spot in the Madrid derby. That night, however, Real Madrid suffered a 5–2 defeat, and coach Xabi Alonso later admitted that Bellingham’s comeback had been rushed.

Both Alonso and Thomas Tuchel, his national team coach, chose to rest him during the October break. During that time, Bellingham completed a “mini preseason” at the training ground with a clear goal: to reach full fitness for El Clásico.

Back to His Best Form

Against Getafe last Sunday, he already showed signs of improvement—playing 86 minutes, winning ten of twelve duels, and displaying solid physical recovery. Against Juventus, that progress turned into a goal: after a Vinícius Jr. play down the left, the ball hit the post, and Bellingham reacted quickly in the box to finish with precision.

The Englishman celebrated again at the Santiago Bernabéu after 204 days, arms wide open as the crowd sang the iconic “Hey Jude.” A return that boosts his confidence and confirms he’s ready for the big challenge ahead: El Clásico next Sunday.