2 years ago
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While Real Madrid were lifting the 2017-18 Champions League title, Union Berlin were still in the second tier of German footballJude Bellingham scored an injury-time tap-in as Real Madrid left it late to beat Champions League debutants Union Berlin at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bellingham's strike was his sixth goal in six matches for Madrid since joining Los Blancos this summer.
Federico Valverde's 94th-minute strike deflected into the path of the England midfield who tapped into an empty net.
Union, in their first Champion League match, were unable to respond with just one minute remaining.
Real Madrid were deserved winners, having twice hit the post in the second half, although Union looked set for a fairytale draw at the home of the record 14-time winners.
The hosts, semi-finalists in last season's competition, started brightly as Joselu headed Bellingham's teasing cross over the bar.
But Carlo Ancelotti's side failed to kick on in the first period, although they themselves were rarely threatened by the visitors.
In the second half, Real were a team transformed as Lucas Vazquez crossed for Rodrygo who struck the outside of the post in the 51st minute with an acrobatic effort.
Nine minutes later, Union keeper Frederik Ronnow tipped Joselu's header on to the woodwork.
Ronnow also made a series of fine saves to keep out Rodrygo and Luka Modric, while Joselu poked a late volley narrowly wide.
But, in the final minute of injury time, Union Berlin failed to deal with a short corner and Valverde's hopeful shot ricocheted into the path of Bellingham, who rolled the ball in from six yards out.
Union, who five years ago were playing in the second tier of German football, will hope to bounce back when they host Sporting Braga in their next Champions League Group C match in 13 days' time.
Real Madrid travel to face Napoli on the same day.
More to follow.
Line-ups
Real Madrid
Formation 4-3-1-2
- 25Arrizabalaga Revuelta
- 17Vázquez
- 22Rüdiger
- 6NachoSubstituted forGarcía Torresat 73'minutes
- 4Alaba
- 10ModricSubstituted forDíazat 81'minutes
- 18TchouaméniBooked at 37minsSubstituted forValverdeat 66'minutes
- 5Bellingham
- 12CamavingaSubstituted forKroosat 66'minutes
- 14Joselu
- 11Rodrygo
Substitutes
- 8Kroos
- 13Lunin
- 15Valverde
- 19Ceballos
- 20García Torres
- 21Díaz
- 23Mendy
- 31Cañizares
- 33García
- 36Tobias da Silva
Union Berlin
Formation 3-5-2
- 1Rønnow
- 5Doekhi
- 23BonucciSubstituted forJaeckelat 80'minutes
- 4Monteiro Pinto Leite
- 18Juranovic
- 33Král
- 29TousartBooked at 1minsSubstituted forKemleinat 83'minutes
- 20LaïdouniSubstituted forAaronsonat 66'minutes
- 6Gosens
- 27BeckerSubstituted forFofanaat 80'minutes
- 17BehrensSubstituted forVollandat 66'minutes
Substitutes
- 3Jaeckel
- 7Aaronson
- 10Volland
- 11Fofana
- 26Roussillon
- 28Trimmel
- 36Kemlein
- 37Schwolow
- 39Stein
Live Text
Match ends, Real Madrid 1, 1. FC Union Berlin 0.
Second Half ends, Real Madrid 1, 1. FC Union Berlin 0.
Goal! Real Madrid 1, 1. FC Union Berlin 0. Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) right footed shot from very close range to the centre of the goal following a corner.
Attempt blocked. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Toni Kroos.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Paul Jaeckel.
Attempt blocked. Federico Valverde (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Toni Kroos.
Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Alex Král (1. FC Union Berlin).
Offside, Real Madrid. Toni Kroos tries a through ball, but Brahim Díaz is caught offside.
Foul by Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid).
Diogo Leite (1. FC Union Berlin) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid).
Josip Juranovic (1. FC Union Berlin) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Attempt saved. Rodrygo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Brahim Díaz.
Foul by Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid).
Frederik Rønnow (1. FC Union Berlin) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Brahim Díaz (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Aljoscha Kemlein (1. FC Union Berlin).
Substitution, 1. FC Union Berlin. Aljoscha Kemlein replaces Lucas Tousart.
Attempt missed. Joselu (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Jude Bellingham.
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