Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham nets in dream debut
Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham marks his debut with a goal as the England star runs the midfield in Spanish giants’ opening weekend win
- Jude Bellingham gets off to the perfect star by scoring on his Real Madrid debut
- Madrid kicked-off their new La Liga campaign with a 2-0 win over Atletic Bilbao
- Click here to watch Mail Sport’s brand new show ‘It’s All Kicking Off’ in full
Jude Bellingham said he wanted to write his own chapter in the Real Madrid history books – the first page is certainly something special. He ran the midfield on his debut in the cauldron that is Athletic Bilbao’s San Mames stadium, scoring in his team’s 2-0 victory.
The ‘Bell’ tolled on 36 minutes when he buried a corner with a side-foot volley but there was so much more to a dominant, marauding display in which he looked every inch Real Madrid’s all-time most expensive signing – which he will be if they end up paying the full 130m euros for the 20-year-old.
He won a public vote for man-of-the-match by some margin as Real Madrid played at the sort of speed that will leave most teams in La Liga in their wake this season if they can maintain it.
Carlo Ancelotti’s first team selection was telling with both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos on the bench. The veterans looked on as the kids took charge and Madrid’s midfield of Eduardo Camavinga, Bellingham, Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde blew Athletic away in the first half with a tornado of relentless energy.
Bellingham was driving everything. He launched himself into several flying tackles winning the ball both times. On the second occasion he pointed demonstrably at the ball as the Athletic supporters implored the referee to whistle, which he didn’t. The challenge had been brutally clean.
Jude Bellingham made a dream start to life at Real Madrid by scoring on his La Liga debut
The England star scored Real Madrid’s second goal in their 2-0 win over Atletico Bilbao
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Ancelotti has explained that his primary brief is to run between Madrid’s open forwards Rodrgyo and Vinicius and finish moves but his incredible energy levels meant he was also deep to protect Tchouameni and always available for the pass as Real Madrid slowly began to dominate.
Rodrygo opened the scoring playing a one-two down the right with Dani Carvajal before beating Unai Simon at his near post. Bellingham made it two from David Alaba’s corner.
His side foot volley from inside the penalty bounced into the ground and looped over Simon. He savored the celebration – his first goal in Spain and in its most ‘British’ of arenas: the raucous, partisan San Mames.
The second half started badly for Madrid with Eder Militao replaced by Antonio Rudiger after he twisted his left knee and sustained what looked like a serious injury.
Athletic were enjoying their best spell and who was there to alleviate the pressure? Bellingham produced a skillful stumbling run leaving to Athletic midfielders in his wake to turn defence into attack before feeding Vinicius. The move broke down but it was worthy of that old Zidane number five shirt.
Bellingham celebrates with his new team-mates as they kicked-off the campaign with a win
It was an all-action display from the young England star who dominated the whole game
With another gallop forward and well-weighted pass he released Vinicius but his shot was blocked.
Athletic had still not tested Thibaut Courtois stand-in Andriy Lunin. Oihan Sancet came close but Alaba blocked his goalbound shot. There was a repeat a moment later when this time Tchouameni threw himself in front of an Alex Berenguer shot destined to test the Ukrainian keeper.
Kroos and Modric were on by now with the Croatian playing upfront with Joselu and Bellingham now on the left of a midfield four that had Kroos alongside Tchouameni.
The old guard had finished the match but there is a new midfield sheriff in town – the England midfielder had dominated from first kick til last.
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