Celta Vigo 0-1 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham scores again as Los Blancos triumph despite Vinicius Jr injury
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ByEurosport
Updated 25/08/2023 at 22:22 GMT
Celta Vigo proved doughty opponents for Real Madrid on Friday night and Los Blancos once again had Jude Bellingham to thank as his goal sealed the three points. Real saw Vinicius Jr go off injured early in the first half in a blow that robbed them of one of their chief creative outlets, but Bellingham - in his advanced role under Carlo Ancelotti - got free to convert a late Toni Kroos corner.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid celebrates 0-1 during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Celta de Vigo v Real Madrid at the Municipal de Balaidos Stadium on August 25, 2023 in Vigo, Spain.
Image credit: Getty Images
Jude Bellingham scored again for Real Madrid as they earned a late 1-0 win at Celta Vigo in La Liga on Friday night.
Los Blancos were looking to extend their winning streak after two consecutive victories, already top of La Liga after falling short of Barcelona last season.
Celta meanwhile were looking to add to their solitary point, and were unlucky to see Jorgen Strand Larsen have a goal disallowed as the referee believed new Madrid keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had been impeded by the player seconds earlier.
Carlo Ancelotti will have been disappointed to see Vinicius Jr. hobble off with an injury midway through the first half and Real were struggling for rhythm.
In the second half, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric were introduced just after the hour mark.
Four minutes later, Rodrygo was brought down by Ivan Villar to earn a penalty, only for the keeper to save well from the Brazilian.
But with just under 10 minutes remaining, Bellingham’s close-range header won it for the visitors.
Talking point - Will Ancelotti really stay out of the market?
The Italian coach proclaimed once again that Real had done their business, but he must be tempted to rethink that promise.
The injury to VInicius, if serious, leaves Ancelotti with Joselu to play up front. He showed little against Celta to show that he can be a serious first-choice striker for the long term.
With a few days left, the prognosis for Vinicius could change the calculation.
Player of the match - Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Four goals in three games for the former Borussia Dortmund man suggest that the huge outlay on the player is going to prove a bargain rather than a waste.
With Vinicius out, the evolution of Bellingham into a goalscoring midfielder could be a vital change for the Spaniards as they look to reclaim La Liga.
Player ratings
Celta Vigo: Ivan 7, Mingueza 6, Aidoo 6, Starfelt 6, Unai 6, Cervi 6, Beltran 7, Luca 6, Aspas 6, Larsen 7, Bamba 6. Subs: Tapia 6, Rodriguez 6, Sanchez 6.
Real Madrid: Kepa 6, Carvajal 6, Alaba 6, Rudiger 6, Fran Garcia 6, Valverde 6, Tchouameni 6, Camavinga 6, Bellingham 7, Vinicius Jr. 6, Rodrygo 6. Subs: Nacho 6, Kroos 6, Modric 6, Joselu 7.
Key events
3’ - GOAL! CELTA 1-0 REAL MADRID - LARSEN SCORES - Swung in and Kepa punches it away... The ball comes out to Beltran on the edge of the box and he fires in a low shot, deflected past the keeper by Larsen.
5’ - GOAL DISALLOWED - A tough decision from the referee, and we're back to 0-0.
11’ - VINICIUS DOWN - After that run before passing to Rodrygo, Vinicius has had to go off for some treatment.
66’ - PENALTY! - Ivan Villar rushes out to try to get the ball away from Rodrygo, but flaps out an arm and brings down the player in the box.
68’ - RODRYGO MISSES - The keeper flies forward and right to beat away the strike!
81’ - GOAL! CELTA 0-1 REAL MADRID - BELLINGHAM SCORES - The England midfielder gets across his marker and glances a great header from Joselu's flick-on past the 'keeper.
Key stat
Bellingham has four goals in three games for his new side.
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