Jude Bellingham’s calculative goal gave Real Madrid a deserving 3-2 victory against Atalanta, providing the club a hope of finishing among the top eight in the group stage of this season’s UEFA Champions League.
The first goal of the match was scored by French forward Kylian Mbappe in the 10th minute, giving Real Madrid an early lead, but he did not play till the end of the game as he was substituted due to an injury. Not long after, Atalanta capitalized on the opportunity as Charles De Ketelaere scored a penalty before the end of the first half.
In the early minutes of the second half, Vinicius Junior, who had just returned to the squad, capitalized on a fortunate ricochet to return Madrid to the lead. Three minutes after the goal, Jude Bellingham scored another goal, which extended the scoreline to 3-1.
Atalanta, which did not give up, fought back as Nigerian international Ademola Lookman capitalized on Real Madrid and delivered a perfect setup for Mateo Retegui in the last minutes of the game while Retegui missed an opportunity that could have increased the game from 3-2.
Madrid could have made a painful record as the first European champions to have lost three consecutive group-stage games as they tried so hard to defend their title if they lost this match to Atalanta.
The loss by Atalanta ends their nine-game winning run across all competitions.
Madrid has now gathered nine points as they sit two behind Atalanta, who still maintains their position as group leader – both teams ready to participate in the playoff round.
