Real Madrid 2-1: England star Jude Bellingham scores stoppage-time winner against Getafe in Bernabeu re-opening
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Updated 03/09/2023 at 07:58 GMT
Jude Bellingham's start to life in Madrid could not be going any better after the England midfielder scored a stoppage-time winner against Getafe - his fifth goal in four games - in the Bernabeu's grand reopening match. Ex-Real Madrid forward Borja Mayoral had stunned the expectant crowd with an early opener for Getafe, and Madrid laboured long into the afternoon before eventually securing victory
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish La Liga week 4 football match between Real Madrid and G
Image credit: Getty Images
Real Madrid celebrated the grand re-opening of their newly renovated Santiago Bernabeu home with a 2-1 victory over Getafe, appropriately secured by a late, late winner scored by the club's latest Galactico signing, Jude Bellingham.
The renovations, worth £862 million according to reports, had compelled Los Blancos to play their first three matches of the Liga season away from home. However, they had managed a perfect three wins from those fixtures ahead of the curtain-raising in Madrid.
That ideal start was soon forgotten when a disastrous miscommunication between Fran Garcia and David Alaba gave Borja Mayoral an opening and the forward pounced. Racing onto the loose ball on the edge of the box, Mayoral rounded Kepa Arrizabalaga before finishing into an empty net.
Mayoral spent 15 years at Real Madrid, joining La Fabrica as a youngster in 2007, but did not let that stop him celebrating his goal wildly.
Shortly after the goal, Getafe goalkeeper David Soria escaped sanction for a handball well outside his box.
Getafe, never a side to take too many risks in possession, fully surrendered the ball after taking the lead, daring Madrid to break them down.
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In the 25th minute, England midfielder Bellingham was awarded a penalty after colliding with two defenders in the box, but VAR intervened to overturn the decision.
Just before half-time, Luka Modric's flying header was tipped over the bar by Soria. Then Antonio Rudiger was forced to bring down Juanmi on a rare Getafe break and was yellow carded for his trouble.
By half-time, the home side had piled up 71.3% of possession but had no goals to show for it.
Carlo Ancelotti moved decisively at the break, making a double substitution. Garcia and Eduardo Camavinga were withdrawn, with Toni Kroos and Nacho being brought on.
Within 68 seconds of the restart, Madrid were level.
A lovely Modric cross, artfully sent in with the outside of his boot, was headed straight to the feet of Joselu by Getafe midfielder Djene. Joselu smashed in the equaliser from close range.
Madrid had the start to the half that they wanted, but they weren't going to be satisfied with a draw.
They continued to squeeze Getafe as their possession count ticked up towards 80%.
With 15 minutes to play, Ancelotti threw Brahim Diaz and Lucas Vazquez into the fray, withdrawing Modric and Dani Carvajal. They continued to press, but Getafe were doggedly refusing to break.
In the fifth minute of stoppage time, Nacho Fernandez picked up the ball from a Kroos throw-in and drove towards goal. Slaloming past a defender, he unleashed a powerful strike that Soria could only fumble. Bellingham was the fastest to react, racing in to lash home the loose ball and secure victory for Madrid.
It was Bellingham's fifth goal in four matches and his second late winner in as many games.
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