Jude Bellingham shone once again as Real Madrid came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory at Napoli in their second UEFA Champions League group stage fixture. The Los Blancos struggled on their way to a 1-0 victory in their first at home to Union Berlin at Santiago Bernabeu courtesy of a late strike from Bellingham.
On Tuesday, he would go on to be instrumental as he provided the assist for Real Madrid’s first and scored the second, which helped ensure Madrid continued their winning start to the group stage campaign. Real Madrid started on the back foot in Naples after conceding a first-half header as Leo Ostigard gave the hosts the lead in the 19th minute.
It is the 23-year-old Norwegian defender’s second consecutive goal in second consecutive games after his goal in Napoli’s 4-0 victory over Lecce in the Serie A at the weekend.
Vinicius junior would eventually draw the visitors leveled in the 29th minute before Bellingham’s mazy run to evade multiple Napoli defenders before slotting home with his right foot, putting Real Madrid seven minutes later.
The Italian champions went into the break behind, but it didn’t take long into the second half before they drew level as Pietr Zielinski drew the game level once again from the penalty spot nine minutes after the break.
Real Madrid would eventually have the last laugh with a thunderous effort from Federico Valverde from long range, which would go on to beat Napoli’s goalkeeper Alex Meret with 12 minutes left to play. Real Madrid secured their second UEFA Champions League group stage victory this season, while Napoli lost after their winning start against Braga.
Meanwhile, the Portuguese side went to Union Berlin to secure a 3-2 come-from-behind victory on Tuesday to move to third position in Group C, level on points with Napoli. Real Madrid’s next Champions League fixture is against Portuguese side SC Braga on the 24th of October, but before then, there are two La Liga fixtures again, Osasuna and Sevilla, before and after the international break, respectively.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
