Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin: Jude Bellingham nets injury time winner as the Spanish giants edge the Champions League newcomers
Jude Bellingham wasn’t just born to play for Real Madrid he was born to score late dramatic winners at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He did it in the league three weeks ago in injury time, and on his Champions League debut for the Spanish side he did in the 94th minute to finally break the resistance of Union Berlin.
They were making their debut too and in their first ever match in the Champions League they were seconds from taking what would have been an historic point. But Fede Valverde’s rifled the ball into a packed area and when it was blocked and spun inviting inside the six-yard box, Bellingham swept it in.
He has now scored six goals in six games. Most of them have come in the six-yard box and it’s a good job for Madrid that he’s making this his specialty because without Karim Benzema this season, and with Vinicius currently injured it looked as if no one was going to be able break through the Berlin wall.
The Germans came with their 5,000 followers and their clear game plan and for 93 minutes it worked to perfection. Deep into injury time they could almost reach out and touch that precious point. Just as Bellingham reached out a right foot and won the game for Real Madrid.
Jude Bellingham scored an injury time winner for Real Madrid against Union Berlin
Bellingham stretched out a right foot to score from close range following a late corner
The midfielder’s late strike ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s side began their campaign with a win
MATCH FACTS
REAL MADRID: Kepa, Lucas Vazquez, Rudiger, Nacho, Alaba; Modric, Tchouameni, Camavinga; Rodrygo, Bellingham, Joselu
Subs: Lunin, Cañizares, Kroos, Valverde, Ceballos, Fran García, Brahim Diaz, Mendy, Gonzalo, Tobias
Goals: Bellingham 90+4
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti
UNION BERLIN: Ronnow, Bonucci, Doekhi, Diogo Leite; Juranovic, Tousart, Kral, Laidouni, Gosens; Becker, Behrens
Subs: Schwolow, Stein, Jaeckel, Aaronson, Volland, Fofana, Roussillon, Trimmel, Kemlein
Manager: Urs Fischer
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He almost created the first after just five minutes with a glorious crossfield pass that set-up Joselu, but the centre-forward’s tame header was saved by Frederik Ronnow and it proved to be the only thing Madrid could manage on target in the first 45 minutes, despite dominating and forcing eight corners.
Their frustration began to show and an Aurelien Tchouameni shot landed in the second tier of the Santiago Bernabeu as they began to try their luck from futher out.
He was also booked for a late challenge on Alex Kral that left the Union Berlin holding midfielder in need of treatment.
Tchouameni’s foul came after Eduardo Camavinga had given the ball away. Madrid were loose in midfield struggling to penetrate Union Berlin’s 5-4-1. Carlo Ancelotti’s team were missing the thrust and shooting threat of Valverde and the precision of Toni Kroos, both on the bench. Modric was making some inroads but he was slowed down by being inadvertently trod on by Robin Gosens.
Union Berlin came out full of confidence at the start of the second half and Gosens shot into the side netting. Madrid had an early chance too when Bellingham released Rodrygo down the right and then motored into the area arriving a half second after the Brazilian’s cross flashed across the face of the goal.
Rodrgyo then had two chances inside 30 seconds. The first was straight at Ronnow and the second on the volley came back off the post. The Union keeper then tipped over Joselu’s shot. Rodrgyo and Joselu combined and from the former’s cross the latter headed on to the bar.
Ronnow was emerging as clear man of the match and he tipped a Modric shot over. Kroos and Valverde were both on for Tchouameni and Camavinga at this point and with 10 minutes left Brahim Diaz was thrown on too. Bellingham created another chance for Joselu which he volleyed just wide.
Ronnow denied Brahim again before coming out for a cross and clattering Bellingham and blaming him for the clash. He had the last laugh with the last meaningful touch of the game.
Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer saw his side denied a point on the Champions League debut
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