Jude Bellingham scored in stoppage time as Real Madrid beat Union Berlin to seal a 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabeu in their Group C opener on Thursday.
When the match between Real Madrid and Union Berlin looked like it would end in a draw, Federico Valverde fired a shot at goal from outside the penalty box which hit a Union Berlin player and fell at Bellingham’s feet.
Bellingham swiftly put the ball into the net for his sixth goal in six games this season.
A 94th-minute goal also ensured that Madrid maintained their 100% record this season, giving them their sixth win in a row.
“I’m a confident player, but I really couldn’t have expected that things would go this well in terms of scoring goals,” said Bellingham, who joined from Borussia Dortmund in June for €103 million ($109.94 million) .
“We’ve played five times in LaLiga, one in the Champions League and won six games, so we can’t complain about that,” he continued.
“I think we dominated the game and created good chances so we deserved to win. I’m very grateful to my teammates and the staff here who did a great job integrating me.”
Real Madrid dominated possession in the first half but struggled to break down the Union defence, which defended resolutely and was led impressively by veteran Italian defender Leonardo Bonucci, a summer signing from Juventus.
Real forward Joselu was impressive from the start but wasted two headed chances early in the match.
Real Madrid started the second half quickly and Rodrygo twice came close to scoring the opener, his shot saved by goalkeeper Frederik Ronnow from close range before firing a powerful volley which hit the post.
Joselu, Antonio Rüdiger and Rodrygo all missed late chances to score, but just as Union looked set for a shock result, Germany’s resistance was broken through when midfielder Bellingham scored on his Champions League debut for Madrid.
Although the visitors will be hugely disappointed to concede a late goal, they will remain upbeat about their performance and believe they have a real chance of progressing through the group stage.
Union will host Braga on October 3, while Real will visit Italian champions Napoli.
Nacho said Jude Bellingham was “born to play at Real Madrid” after the midfielder’s sixth goal in six games gave the LaLiga giants a 1-0 win over Union Berlin in the Champions League in their opening game in Group C.
“I think Jude was born to play for Real Madrid,” club captain Nacho told Movistar as quoted by ESPN.
“We are lucky to have him here with us. Let’s hope he continues to score goals.”
Bellingham’s goal against Union Berlin was the second time he has won a match for Madrid in stoppage time at the Bernabeu, following his 95th-minute winner against Getafe on September 2.
“We are patient,” Bellingham told Movistar.
“We knew we would have chances at the end of the game. We had to move the ball, find space. We kept going, we showed a great mentality, great togetherness.”
Bellingham scored 14 goals for Borussia Dortmund last season, and has scored six goals this season.
“On the pitch I want to be an artist, I want to try to create something for my teammates, but when the ball goes into the penalty box I want to be a killer,” he said.
“That’s what will make us win the game. Hopefully this continues.”
Coach Carlo Ancelotti chose Bellingham in a more advanced role, namely No. 10 to maximize his goal-scoring instincts.
“Bellingham has quality, that’s very important, and he has luck,” Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference. “This goal is similar to the goal against Getafe. He always scores at the right time. He is smarter than other players.”
