Jude Bellingham wasn’t just born to play for Real Madrid, he was born to score decisive goals at the Santiago Bernabeu.
He did it in the league three weeks ago in added time, and on his Champions League debut with the Spanish side, he did it in the 94th minute to finally break the Union’s resistance Berlin.
They were also making their debut and in their first ever Champions League match, they were seconds away from taking what would have been a historic point. But Fede Valverde sent the ball into a crowded area and when it was blocked and turned invitingly inside the six-yard box, Bellingham swept it away.
He has now scored six goals in six games. Most of them came in the penalty area and it’s a good thing for Madrid to make it their specialty, because without Karim Benzema this season, and with Vinicius currently injured, it seemed like no one would be able to drill. Berlin Wall.
The Germans came with their 5,000 fans and their clear game plan and it worked to perfection for 93 minutes. Deep in added time, they could almost reach out and touch that precious spot. Just when Bellingham stuck out his right foot and won the game for Real Madrid.
Jude Bellingham scored Real Madrid’s winner against Union Berlin
Bellingham stuck out his right foot to score from close range after a late corner
The midfielder’s late goal ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s side started their campaign with a victory
Your browser does not support iframes.
He almost created the first after just five minutes with a superb crossfield pass that served Joselu, but the centre-forward’s tame header was saved by Frederik Ronnow and that proved to be the only thing Madrid could manage on target in the first 45 minutes. , despite the dominance and strength of eight corners.
Their frustration began to show and a shot from Aurélien Tchouameni landed in the second division at the Santiago Bernabeu as they began to try their luck from further away.
He was also booked for a late challenge on Alex Kral which left the Union Berlin midfielder needing treatment.
Tchouameni’s foul came after Eduardo Camavinga gave the ball away. Madrid were free in midfield and struggled to penetrate Union Berlin’s 5-4-1. Carlo Ancelotti’s side lacked the pushing and shooting threat of Valverde and the precision of Toni Kroos, both on the bench. Modric was making some forays but was slowed by being inadvertently stepped on by Robin Gosens.
Union Berlin came out full of confidence at the start of the second half and Gosens fired into the side net. Madrid also had an early chance when Bellingham released Rodrygo on the right and then entered the box arriving half a second after the Brazilian’s cross had crossed the front of goal.
Rodrgyo then had two chances in 30 seconds. The first was straight at Ronnow and the second on the volley came back off the post. The Union goalkeeper then deflected Joselu’s shot. Rodrgyo and Joselu combined and from the former’s cross, the latter headed towards the bar.
Ronnow was clearly becoming the man of the match and he tipped over a Modric shot. Kroos and Valverde replaced Tchouameni and Camavinga at this stage and with 10 minutes remaining Brahim Diaz was also replaced. Bellingham created another chance for Joselu which he volleyed just wide.
Ronnow denied Brahim again before coming out for a cross and snapping Bellingham and blaming him for the clash. He had the last word with the last significant touch of the match.
Union Berlin coach Urs Fischer saw his side robbed of a point on their Champions League debut.