The remarkable moment Real Madrid striker Joselu decides NOT to score a tap-in into an open goal

Real Madrid claimed a 3-0 victory against Cadiz on Sunday but there was a bizarre moment during the match, with Joselu remarkably deciding not to tap the ball into an empty net. 

The Spanish striker’s career came full circle in the summer, as he returned to Real Madrid following tough spells with Stoke and Newcastle. 

It was a shock move, but the 33-year-old, who joined from Espanyol has enjoyed a fine start at his new club, scoring five times in 14 league appearances this season. 

He could have had another on Sunday against Cadiz too, but remarkably decided not to smash the ball into the back of an empty net. 

It came as Rodrygo had driven through to go one-on-one with Cadiz goalkeeper Conan Ledesma.

The Real Madrid striker, received the ball from Rodrygo on the mouth o the goal and could have tapped in to score his sixth goal of the season

The Brazilian winger, who notably clashed with Lionel Messi last week during his national team’s World Cup qualifier defeat by Argentina, advanced towards the six-yard box, before he was confronted by the Cadiz shot-stopper.

As he tried to evade Ledesma, who slid out to meet him, the 22-year-old knocked the ball to his right, in what appeared to be a pass to Joselu, arriving unmarked on his right hand side. 

While Joselu could have easily hammered the ball into the net, he seemed to pull up, raising his hands in the air as Rodrygo seemed to continue to chase after the ball, which bobbled out of play for a goal kick. 

It was a bizarre moment in the game, especially considering the striker’s performances in front of goal this season, finding the back of the net against all of Getafe, Real Sociedad, Las Palmas, Girona and Osasuna. 

While he may have thought he was offside and didn’t want to touch the ball, replays emerging online of the incident show that Joselu was just behind Rodrygo after he dinked the ball to his right and should have tapped in.

While Cadiz survived that attack, Real would ultimately claim a 3-0 victory, with England star Jude Bellingham getting on the scoresheet once again. 

Rodrygo, equally, scored a sensational goal in the first half, winding his way around several Cadiz defenders, before whipping the ball into the top-right corner of the goal from the edge of the penalty area.

He followed up with his second in second half, with Bellingham wrapping up the match with an excellent left-footed shot across the goal – he’s now scored 11 goals in 12 LaLiga appearances, having also scored three goals in the Champions League. 

Joselu signed for Madrid last summer and has enjoyed a fine start at his new club, despite having underwhelmed at Newcastle and stoke previously

He has formed a surprise partnership with Jude Bellingham who has compared them to Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe  

Bellingham appeared to coin the phrase on an Instagram post of the two shared by Joselu

Rodrygo, who clashed with Lionel Messi last week during Brazil’s defeat by Argentina, scored twice in the match to help them Madrid a 3-0 victory

Together, Bellingham and Joselu have combined to form a surprise partnership this season that the England star likened to that of Peter Crouch and Jermaine Defoe on Instagram. 

Joselu, meanwhile, has not scored in his last five appearances with the club despite playing 90 minutes on Sunday. 

Yet, he has been performing much better than his time at Newcastle, where he scored seven goals in 52 games across a two year spell at the club. 

He also struggled during his time at Stoke, scoring four goals in 27 appearances. 

Earlier this year, Joselu dazzled for Real Madrid during their pre-season friendly against Man United, finding the back of the net with a sensational overhead kick late in their 2-0 victory.