- Jude Bellingham scored a sensational double to help Real Madrid beat Barcelona
- The England midfielder later struck twice, most notably hitting a screamer from 25 yards
- Listen to the latest episode of the ‘Mail Sport’ podcastIt all starts!‘
Jude Bellingham scored the best goal of his Real Madrid career to date to level Real Madrid in the Clasico. And then he scored his most important goal yet: the winner with just two minutes of added time.
His goal in the 92nd minute wasn’t as nice as the first, but it went through Marc Andre ter Stegen to give Real Madrid a victory that sends them back to the top of the table.
Bellingham was quiet in the first half and even in the second 45 minutes it was not one of the dashing midfield performances we have come to expect from him, but his two interventions were fatal for Barcelona.
Xavi’s face when the second came in told the story. His original game plan had worked, but it was all for naught when Madrid’s steamroller finally started moving, crushing Barca’s fragile lead.
It was Ilkay Gundogan who opened the scoring for them after six minutes. The German midfielder scored eight times in the Premier League for Manchester City last season but didn’t come close to opening his Barca account until he burst through Madrid’s defense to convert the home side’s first chance.
Jude Bellingham scored a sensational goal from 25 yards to see Real Madrid come back to equalize against Barcelona on Saturday, before scoring a 92nd-minute winner to seal the match 2-1
The England midfielder continues to impress for Madrid on the biggest stages, having now scored his 13 goals in as many games in all competitions.
Ilkay Gundogan (left) put the hosts 1-0 in the sixth minute of the match and scored his first goal for the club
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Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba and Aurelien Tchouameni had all tried to extinguish the danger, but Gundogan had stayed clear and finished well past Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Apart from a long shot from Antonio Gundogan, the visitors never really caused Barcelona any problems. However, everything changed in the second period.
Luka Modric replaced Toni Kroos and suddenly Madrid were a different team. Eduardo Camavinga replaced Ferland Mendy and his energy also gave Carlo Ancelotti’s side another dimension.
But it was someone who had already been on the field who turned the match on its head. Bellingham’s rocket blazed past Ter Stegen from 25 yards out to score him nine league goals – he scored just eight in all of last season at Borussia Dortmund.
However, he wasn’t done yet. When Dani Carvajal centered two minutes into extra time, it was a tired cross. It may not have been intended for Modric, but it hit midfield and passed through to Bellingham who finished past Ter Stegen.
The goalkeeper was asked at the end of the match about Bellingham’s influence on the game and remained silent.
When the question was repeated, he said: “It is not for me to comment on how the rival plays.” Barcelona’s job was to prevent him from playing and they failed.
His first goal did not cause the characteristic celebration, but the second certainly did. There was no time for Barcelona to recover.
Substitute Oriol Romeu had a long shot blocked after which the final whistle sounded from referee Jesus Gil Manzano.
It was a fast start for Barcelona, but Real slowly grew into the match
It was also Bellingham’s first appearance in El Clasico after arriving from Real Madrid for a landmark £113 million earlier this summer.
The former Birmingham City man won the match by tapping in a cross in the 92nd minute of the game
The result leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s side at the top of LaLiga, four points ahead of third-placed Barcelona
Barcelona supporters had yet to see their team defeated in their new temporary home. They left disappointed.
Gündogan had raised their hopes with that early goal. Vinicius had infuriated them late on by taking time to walk off the pitch and sarcastically applaud them as Raphinha tried to push him over the touchline, and finally Bellingham had silenced them with that late late goal.
No one has ever started better at Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo made an incredible impact early on but lost his first Clásico.
Bellingham won his, and he almost won it single-handedly. He is on his own and unstoppable, even in the home of Madrid’s great rivals.
Mick Jagger was also present today at the Estadio Olimpico, where Barcelona wore the Rolling Stones’ ‘lips’ logo on their shirt
The club had aligned themselves with the Rolling Stones ahead of their Clasico match against Madrid