Jude Bellingham
Image credit: Getty Images
Jude Bellingham scored what turned out to be the winner as Real Madrid beat Atalanta 3-2 away from home and restored hopes of finishing in the UEFA Champions League group stage's top eight.
Kylian Mbappe scored in the 10th minute as the night started wonderfully for Madrid - yet by the interval he had been taken off with an injury and Atalanta were level via a Charles De Ketelaere penalty.
Vinicius Junior, in his first game back from injury, took advantage of a fortunate ricochet to restore Madrid's lead and Bellingham added a third goal three minutes later as the reigning champions briefly returned to their ruthless best.
Ademola Lookman smartly pulled a goal back for Atalanta and then laid what should have been the equaliser on a plate for Matteo Retegui in the final minute of added time - only for the substitute to volley over from inside the six-yard box.
Madrid avoided becoming the first European champions to lose three straight games in their defence, while Atalanta suffered a first defeat of the Champions League campaign, ending a run of nine straight wins in all competitions.
Madrid now have nine points, two behind Atalanta, and both teams would advance to the play-off round as things stand.
Talking Point - Injury latest twist in the Mbappe saga
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Mbappe started this game really sharply, scoring inside 10 minutes and carving out two more early half-chances with his pace and movement. It was his 50th Champions League goal, Madrid were looking comfortable, and he in turn seemed very comfortable as the central striker.
Then, in the 35th minute, Mbappe sat down and it was clear he was not able to continue. In the short term the injury put an abrupt end to the momentum his bright start created. In the longer term, it adds to Madrid's list of absentees which already features David Alaba, Eduardo Camavinga, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal. The last two are out for the season, while Vinicius and Rodrygo - Mbappe's replacement - were both in their first game back from their own injuries, so likely need to be managed.
Mbappe has had a thoroughly frustrating start to life in Madrid and this latest development only exacerbates the situation.
Player of the Match - Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
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Took his goal really well but was also everywhere for the visitors, providing energy, doing the dirty work and creating chances for others.
Player Ratings
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**Atalanta**: Carnesecchi 6, Bellanova 7, Djimsiti 6, Hien 6, Kolasinac 7, Ruggeri 6, Ederson 7, De Roon 6, Pasalic 5, De Ketelaere 7, Lookman 8. Subs: Samardzic 7, Zappacosta 6, Kossounnou 5, Retegui 5, Zaniolo n/a.
**Real Madrid**: Courtois 7, Vazquez 7, Tchouameni 6, Rudiger 7, Garcia 6, Valverde 5, Ceballos 5, Bellingham 8, Brahim 7, Vinicius 5, Mbappe 7. Subs: Rodrygo 5, Modric 5, Asencio 5, Guler n/a.
Match Highlights
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**10' - GOAL! ATALANTA 0-1 REAL MADRID (MBAPPE) -** Brahim passes to Mbappe, who spins his marker De Roon with a brilliant first touch into the box and then fires into the bottom corner. A simple goal, brilliantly taken.
**40' - CHANCE! -** Bellingham smashes a deep cross back across goal and it finds an unmarked Rudiger at the back post - but he heads wide.
**45+1' - PENALTY TO ATALANTA! -** With Kolasinac galloping into the penalty area, Tchouameni accidently clips his legs and it's an obvious penalty
**45+2' - GOAL! ATALANTA 1-1 REAL MADRID (DE KETELAERE) -** De Ketelaere smashes the penalty into the top corner - Courtois dives the wrong way.
**56' - GOAL! ATALANTA 1-2 REAL MADRID (VINICIUS)** - Here's really back now! A twice-deflected pass runs into the path of Vinicius, suddenly through on goal, and he shoots left-footed, first-time across the goalkeeper and into the corner.
**59' - GOAL! ATALANTA 1-3 REAL MADRID (BELLINGHAM)** \- Bellingham runs in behind the Atalanta defence - brilliantly picked out by Tchouameni - cuts back, beats De Roon and hits a low shot which finds its way in.
**65' - GOAL! ATALANTA 2-3 REAL MADRID (LOOKMAN) -** Lookman collects a cross, makes room to shoot and fires a low shot through Vazquez's legs and past Courtois at the near post. A brilliant strike, and a lifeline for Atalanta.
**90+4' - TERRIBLE MISS!** \- Lookman does brilliantly to make space on the left, smashes a cross into the six-yard box and Retegui meets it, yet volleys over! What a chance, what a miss, what a let-off for Madrid.
Key Stats
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