Real Madrid survive scare to beat Las Palmas in Jude Bellingham’s absence

Real Madrid moved back to the top of LaLiga as second-half goals from Vinicius Junior and Aurelien Tchouameni saw them come from behind to beat Las Palmas 2-1 in the Canary Islands.

Carlo Ancelotti’s men were forced to dig deep against the in-form hosts who grabbed a 53rd-minute lead through Javier Munoz and threatened to prevent their return to the summit ahead of Girona’s trip to Celta Vigo on Sunday.

And they did so without the talismanic Jude Bellingham, who was suspended after picking up a booking in last week’s tight 3-2 win over struggling Almeria.

HALA MADRID #LasPalmasRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/G58VOE6iWl

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) January 27, 2024

Showing few ill effects from that unlikely battle, Real started well with Rodrygo’s early effort well anticipated by home goalkeeper Alvaro Valles, who raced from his net to smother the opportunity.

Toni Kroos also fired a free-kick straight at Valles but Las Palmas weathered the early storm and hit back strongly, with Sergi Cardona coming close with the best of their early efforts.

Vinicius Junior missed a half-chance for Real towards the end of the first period and Las Palmas came out firing after the break, with Real keeper Andriy Lunin forced to save from both Ramirez and Alberto Moleiro.

Las Palmas grabbed a deserved lead shortly afterwards when the dangerous Sandro Ramirez set up Munoz to score from close range.

The visitors responded strongly with Dani Carvajal having an effort ruled out for offside and a Vinicius Junior shot blocked but the Las Palmas lead lasted only 12 minutes.

The Brazilian raced on to a neat through-ball from Eduardo Camavinga to slot home and steady the visitors’ nerves.

Joselu headed just over from a Vinicius cross before substitute Tchouameni sealed the three points when he headed home from a Kroos corner in the 84th minute.

Las Palmas still pressed in vain for a leveller but the eighth-placed hosts could do nothing to prevent Ancelotti’s men duly playing out for a fifth straight domestic win.