Real Madrid hotshot Jude Bellingham equalled another record first set by Cristiano Ronaldo as Los Blancos crushed Osasuna 4-0 in Saturday's La Liga clash.
The 20-year-old has taken no time whatsoever to settle into life at the Bernabeu and continued his exceptional start with another two goals in the Spanish capital this weekend.
With just nine minutes gone against Osasuna, Bellingham drove into the penalty area, received the ball from Dani Carvajal and calmly finished into the roof of the net with several red shirts around him.
Carlo Ancelotti's side failed to build on their lead in the first half, but just nine minutes after the restart, Bellingham linked up with Federico Valverde and calmly slotted home through the legs of Sergio Herrera.
Bellingham's second opened the floodgates for the remainder of the match, as Vinicius Junior skipped past Herrera to poke home his side's third before laying off Joselu to complete the rout.
© Reuters
While the Blancos faithful were treated to a magnificent team performance from their side, Bellingham stole the spotlight again, and the England international now sits on 10 goals from as many games in the famous white jersey.
In doing so, Bellingham became the first Real Madrid player since Ronaldo to hit double figures in goals in their opening 10 games for the club, after the Portuguese did so in 2009.
In addition to his 10 strikes, Bellingham also has three assists to his name under Ancelotti, and he has only failed to directly contribute to a goal in two games for the Spanish titans so far.
Prior to Saturday's triumph, the former Birmingham City and Borussia Dortmund man scored and provided an assist in a 3-2 Champions League win over Napoli, having previously come up with the only goal on the opening matchday against Union Berlin.
Alongside Ronaldo, Isco and Marco Asensio, Bellingham is only the fourth Real Madrid player to score on their La Liga and Champions League debuts, while netting in each of his first four games is a feat that only Ronaldo and Pepillo managed before him.
© Reuters
Ancelotti admitted that Bellingham's incredible start to life had surprised him, but he was delighted to work with such a "spectacular" talent, telling the press: "It's the same as always. He is finding a lot of possibilities up front, very involved in attacking play.
"The fact that he does not have a fixed position on the field gives him an advantage. He comes from the second line very well, he combines well with his teammates and it has been a surprising start to the season in all aspects. Obviously, no one expected this level in terms of goals.
"He has adapted very well, but that is not what matters to us much. We are lucky to have signed a spectacular player. We are very happy, me as the coach and the fans. We are very happy about it."
Real Madrid have won eight and lost one of their opening nine La Liga fixtures to sit top of the table, two points clear of Girona and four ahead of Barcelona, who take on Granada on Sunday night.
Before domestic action resumes in two weeks' time, Bellingham will link up with the England squad for their October internationals, starting with a friendly against Australia next Friday before a Euro 2024 qualifier with Italy four days later.
Ben Knapton
