7/12 duels won, 2 key passes, 1 goal: Real Madrid midfielder puts on a performance to remember | OneFootball

For Real Madrid and Manchester City to meet in the UEFA Champions League playoffs was rather unexpected as at least one of these sides will not be making it to the next stage of the competition.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side was plagued with injuries and started the match with two midfielders in defence. This meant the midfield trio picked out for itself, namely Dani Ceballos, Eduardo Camavinga and Jude Bellingham.

Camavinga had just returned from injury and Ceballos was starting for the first time in a major knockout fixture in quite some while.

But someone who had experience of not just playing but winning these fixtures, was the local lad from England, none other than Jude Victor William Bellingham.

Barring a few games, Bellingham has been in supreme form since December and was a player to watch out for at the Etihad. Even he knew that it does not get bigger than a Champions League night and was eager to show his class.

That is exactly what he did. Given the freedom to play up front, the 21-year-old made the most of it and combined well with the front line. The way he got away from the City press in tight spaces was a sight for sore eyes.

He had a great opportunity to put Real Madrid into the lead in the 66th minute but unfortunately his shot was saved by Ederson.

Even though he missed an opportunity to score, the midfield starlet did something better – scoring the winner in injury time.

This was Jude Bellingham’s 6th non-penalty match winning goal in stoppage time, equalling Lionel Messi’s record – and only bettered by Cristiano Ronaldo with 7 goals.

Other than the goal he scored, according to Sofascore statistics, Bellingham had a passing accuracy of 90%, which included 2 key passes and 3/3 long balls.

He won 7/12 duels, had 2 shots on target and was involved in 5 defensive actions too – 3 tackles and an interception and clearance each.

With the amount of chances the Merengues failed to put away throughout the match, Bellingham was grateful that the side finally took their chances and won the game deservingly.

This victory not only ended Manchester City’s unbeaten run in the UCL at the Etihad since 2018 but also puts the Merengues ahead by one goal, which is a massive advantage heading into the 2nd leg next week at the Santiago Bernabeu.