Jude Bellingham scored his 50th goal for Real Madrid as his side backed up last week’s El Classico win with a statement victory at Racing Santander.

The visitors were awarded an 11th-minute penalty when Matteo Prati dragged down Kylian Mbappe and the French forward found the net from the spot.

Bellingham doubled Real’s lead in the 21st minute with the England midfielder driving from the halfway line, dinking the ball over the onrushing keeper and passing into an empty net.

Record signing Yan Diomande hit a third before half-time, volleying home an effort after a corner kick had been half cleared.

Mbappe also hit the post in the 59th minute with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

Santander then had a late penalty overturned by the video assistant referee after it determined a handball from Aurelien Tchouameni was accidental and came after the ball had deflected up off the midfielder’s boot.

Bellingham’s goal was his 50th in all competitions for the Spanish giants since he joined the club as a 19-year-old for £88.5m from Borussia Dortmund in 2023.

The 23-year-old former Birmingham City player has made 154 appearances for Real and has also recorded 37 assists.

He put the ball in the net for a second time on Sunday but his calm, late finish into the bottom corner was ruled out for offside.

Victory meant Real have won their past five matches in all competitions and are just three points off La Liga leaders and rivals Barcelona who they beat 2-1 in their previous match.

Jose Mourinho’s side are on an excellent run and have only lost two games this season, with their last defeat coming against rivals Atletico Madrid on September 20.

Mourinho gave a rare start to England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and the former Liverpool defender almost had an early assist but team-mate Arda Guler curled his his cut-back in the area just wide.

Alexander-Arnold, 28, has only started five of Real Madrid’s 14 games this season with Denzel Dumfries and midfielder Federico Valverde often being preferred in the right back position.