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Real Madrid logo
Champions League | Group Stage
Sep 20, 2023 at 5.45pm UK
Estadio Santiago Bernabeu
Union Berlin logo

Real Madrid
1 - 0
Union Berlin

Bellingham (90+4')
Tchouameni (37')
FT(HT: 0-0)

Tousart (1')

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham equals Cristiano Ronaldo record in Union Berlin win

Bellingham equals Ronaldo record in Real Madrid's win over Union Berlin
© Reuters
Jude Bellingham equals a record set by Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring a late winner in Real Madrid's 1-0 success over Union Berlin in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Jude Bellingham has equalled a record set by Cristiano Ronaldo after scoring a late winner in Real Madrid's 1-0 success over Union Berlin in their Champions League group-stage opener on Wednesday night.

The 20-year-old midfielder has made an electric start to life with the Spanish giants following his £115m summer move from Borussia Dortmund, scoring six goals in as many appearances across all competitions.

Bellingham netted on his La Liga debut for Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao in mid-August, and has now found the net on his Champions League debut for Los Blancos after pouncing on a loose ball inside the six-yard box and firing the ball home to snatch all three points for the hosts and break Union Berlin's hearts in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time.

In doing so, the former Birmingham City man has joined an exclusive group of Real Madrid stars to have scored on their La Liga and Champions League debuts along with Cristiano Ronaldo, Isco and Marco Asensio.

Five-time Ballon d'Or winner Ronaldo, Los Blancos' all-time record goalscorer with 450 goals in just 438 games, netted both of his debut goals back in 2009, while Isco and Asensio achieved the same feat in 2013 and 2016 respectively.

Bellingham has also become the youngest Real Marid player and youngest-ever Englishman to score a stoppage-time winner in the Champions League.

Expressing his joy after scoring the winning goal, Bellingham told TNT Sports: "I'd much rather keep scoring in the 90 plus than the 15th! It's always good to score late because it normally confirms the game.

"For us, I think we dominated the game, a lot of the ball was for us. I don't really remember [Union Berlin] having too many clear-cut chances, but they defended really well, they were so organised.

"It was just the mentality that we've shown all season, that mentality of even when we go down or even if there are setbacks, we keep going until the end. I always believe that there are chances for us in the end, and it's just about being in the right positions to take them."

Discussing Real Madrid's never-say-die attitude, man-of-the-match Bellingham added: "That's the history of the club. I'm new to the club but I've watched them on TV since I was little. I can't remember from what age I've been watching Madrid complete comebacks when I've been thinking there's no chance and it's not possible.

"I think when you are around those players everyday who have been part of those triumphs in the past, you just pick it up and it rubs off on you, and I think if you don't have it then [your teammates] sniff it out of you.

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates scoring their first goal on September 20, 2023© Reuters

"It is important that I keep learning from the guys in the [Madrid dressing room] who are brilliant players, brilliant professionals, so I've just got to keep going on the path that I'm on.

Asked if the Real Madrid crowd was as special as he expected, Bellingham replied: "More, I've got goosebumps talking about it now! I'm so grateful to be at this club. I talk about the players and the staff and the mentality that they have and the quality that they have, and then there's the flip side of it with the fans.

"As you arrive at the stadium, they're flocking in their thousands outside just to get a glimpse of the bus, and then at the game they're there before the warm-up.

"You don't really understand how big this club is until you play for them and I've got that honour now and I'll always wear it with pride."

Bellingham will be looking to continue his bright start to the season when Carlo Ancelotti's Real Madrid lock horns with city rivals Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano in La Liga on Sunday.

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Game History

How you voted: Real Madrid vs Union Berlin

Real Madrid
86.0%
Draw
10.0%
Union Berlin
4.1%
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