Bellingham stars for Real Madrid in fiery El Clasico
Real Madrid 2 - 1 Barcelona
Jude Bellingham delivered a goal and an assist in La Liga for the first time this season as Real Madrid edged past Barcelona in a frantic El Clasico.
Author | Jack L
Stadium | Santiago Bernabéu
Bellingham split Barcelona’s defence with a precise through ball for Kylian Mbappe to open the scoring midway through the first half. Bellingham then restored Madrid’s advantage with a close-range finish five minutes after Fermin Lopez had levelled.
It was Bellingham’s fourth goal in five matches against Barcelona, helping Xabi Alonso’s side move five points clear at the top. The contest ended in disorder, with Pedri dismissed and tempers simmering on the sidelines.
A closer look at a dramatic night
Madrid lost all four meetings with their great rivals last season, but they set about attacking the visitors’ high defensive line from the outset. Vinicius Junior won an early penalty only for VAR to overturn the decision, ruling he had initiated the contact with Lamine Yamal.
Another intervention from the officials denied Mbappe a spectacular volley from 25 yards shortly before Bellingham’s clever turn and incisive pass allowed the French striker to beat Wojciech Szczesny.
The intensity briefly swung Barcelona’s way. Real were punished on the counter when Marcus Rashford surged forward and squared for Fermin to convert. Yet controversy quickly returned. Barcelona complained that Pau Cubarsi had been fouled as he attempted to deal with Eder Militao’s header, but Bellingham was left alone at the far post to score.
Mbappe thought he had added another from a flowing move involving Vinicius and Bellingham only to be pulled back again for offside.
VAR remained a central figure after the interval, awarding Madrid a penalty when Eric Garcia’s arm was struck by the ball as he slid to block Bellingham. Szczesny kept Barcelona in the contest with a sharp save from Mbappe’s kick.
Bellingham turned in a Brahim Diaz cross late on, but once more an offside decision halted the celebrations.
Barcelona struggled to trouble Thibaut Courtois as the atmosphere darkened. The match concluded in heated fashion, Pedri seeing red for a late challenge on Aurelien Tchouameni as both benches spilled into dispute.
Bellingham and Real Madrid show their swagger again
Having gone six matches without a goal or assist following shoulder surgery, scrutiny inevitably fell on Jude Bellingham.
There were murmurs about whether he could rediscover the form that electrified La Liga in his debut campaign with Real Madrid.
The answer arrived with a flourish. England’s Men’s Player of the Year drove Madrid forward with the same instinctive movement and commanding presence that made him such a sensation last season. He linked play, arrived late in the area and dictated attacks with authority.
His contribution to Kylian Mbappe’s opening goal offered a reminder of his quality. Bellingham gathered possession deep, turned away from Pedri’s challenge and surged into space before threading a perfectly weighted pass into the striker’s path.
Carlo Ancelotti often relied on Bellingham for multiple roles last season. Despite nine goals and nine assists in the league, the midfielder’s influence was sometimes diluted by the sheer breadth of his responsibilities. Under Xabi Alonso the task is clearer, and on this occasion the impact was unmistakable.
His close-range finish may have been simple, but it was celebrated with relish in front of the jubilant home support, arms stretched wide in familiar fashion.
There was only one discordant note for the hosts as Vinicius Junior headed straight down the tunnel after being withdrawn with 18 minutes to play, vocal in his frustration.
Even so, this performance suggested a renewed swagger. Bellingham and Madrid appear firmly back in stride.
