Real Madrid’s tallisman, Jude Bellingham was at it once more on Saturday with the former Borussia Dortmund man netting a brace to secure a 2-1 comeback victory for his side over fierce rivals Barcelona, at the Estadio Olímpico Lluís Companys.
The 187th El Classico meeting was marred prior to kick off with Barcelona missing a number of first team players due to injuries; Frenkie De jong, Pedri Raphina and Kounde; although the latter duo passed a late fitness test to feature in the Matchday squad.
Regardless of Barcelona’s injury crisis, it was the Catalan club who struck first in the game with marquee midfield summer signing, Ilkay Gundogan calmly slotting the ball past Chelsea goalkeeper, Kepa Arizabalaga in the 5th minute.
Gundogan shot the Catalans infront as they maintained the rhythm and tempo of the game through till the interval. Barcelona came close after the break to extending their advantage but were denied by the post, before Kepa Arizabalaga outstretch right arm palmed Ronald Araujo’s follow up attempt away.
Barcelona were made to pay for their rued opportunities some minutes later, with in form Jude Bellingham’s eyes lighting up as he unleashed a thunderbolt from 30 yards out to level the game in the 63rd minute.
Although chances were few and far from then, the pendulum of the game had swang the way of Los Blancos and it was the English man who was at the heart of Madrid’s joy in stoppage time; Bellingham made a long darting run into the box and steadied himself well to receive Dani Carvajal’s deflected cross off Luka Modric, producing a deft finish through the legs of Marc Andre Ter Stegen to put Madrid ahead in stoppage time and extend his La liga tally to 10 goals.
A dramatic Classico concluded with a stoppage time winner from the English midfielder as there was no time for Barcelona to get back into the game after the restart.
Dependable Bellingham Delivers!
Real Madrid’s signing of a 20 year-old midfielder who had little experience but a lot of potential was questionable due to the hefty price tag that came with his acquisition along with Los Blancos’ policy of signing renowned players, ‘galacticos’.
But the young lad from Birmingham keeps justifying his price tag, making it look like a bargain with every passing performance. The acer has scored 10 La Liga goals from his first 10 appearances at the league since completing his £88m switch to the Spanish capital.
His latest stoppage time strike against Barcelona depicts another unique ability he possesses, having already come up clutch for Madrid in La Liga against Getafe and in the UEFA champions league against Union Berlin on Matchday 1. His 3rd stoppage time, winner of the season typifies his resilience and ability to come up clutch for Real Madrid.
The young midfielder is making a real statement for himself; his stupendous output has seen him top the goal scoring charts with 10 goals after 11 La Liga games.
Madrid manager, Carlo Ancelloti seems to be a major factor in his thriving, with a new advanced role giving him the license to orchestrate attacks in the team and feature keenly in facets of Los Blancos build up play as well.
This seems to have paid off well with Bellingham gaining a lot of confidence from it and helping the team as a whole, especially when players such as Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo and new forward signing Joselu are yet to hit the ground running. Bellingham has been the man to produce the goods for Los Blancos this term.
Manager of Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelloti was full of admiration for the forward after the game
“He seems like a veteran, the goal to level it totally changed the game. Today he was stupendous and shocked everyone with his wonderful goal from the edge of the area.”
His breathtaking Classico strike against Barcelona makes Bellingham the first Real Madrid player to score a brace in his first El Classico in the 21st Century, extending his total Real Madrid goal contribution to 16 with 13 goals and 3 assists.
The victory in the Classico sends Real Madrid to the summit of La Liga.
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Story by: Andrews Sefa Bamfo | univers.ug.edu.gh
