UEFA Champions League: Lookman’s Atalanta Falls To Real Madrid
Real Madrid got a much-needed 3-2 UEFA Champions League win at Atalanta on Tuesday, courtesy of goals from Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham as the holders snapped a two-game losing run in the competition.
The visitors handed the Serie A leaders their first defeat in this season’s revamped UEFA Champions League after Mbappe gave Real Madrid the lead with a strike from inside the box in the 10th minute before he was forced off with an injury.
Atalanta’s Charles de Ketelaere equalised with a penalty after Aurelien Tchouameni tripped Sead Kolasinac from behind just before the break.
However, Vinicius Jr stroked home a rebound in the 56th minute to put the visitors back in front. Bellingham then extended their lead after a counter attack three minutes later to make it 3-1.
Super Eagles of Nigeria winger Ademola Lookman then reduced the deficit in the 65th minute to give the hosts a glimmer of hope.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois worked his magic with a string of saves to deny Raoul Bellanova, Mateo Retegui, Matteo Ruggeri and Lazar Samardzic to keep his side in the game and secure a hard-fought win.
With two games left, Real are 18th in the 36-team table on nine points, three points off the top eight spots which secures direct qualification to the last 16. Atalanta are ninth on 11 points after slipping into the playoff places.
An important win for Real Madrid in Italy ⚪#UCL pic.twitter.com/C219KIBhha
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 10, 2024
“It was a great game and we’re happy that it was Real Madrid who took it,” Brahim Diaz, who set up Mbappe for the opener, told Movistar Plus.
“We came here with confidence and for the players these games are to show that we are made to play for a club like Real Madrid. This team has a lot to give still and we’re going to give much more.
“We’re going to take it one game at a time. We can finish with 15 points if we win the last two games and than see what happens. Things are going the way they have to go and that’s promising.”
Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League results
Matchday 6 opens in style 🍿#UCL pic.twitter.com/dMtqKCi34f
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) December 10, 2024
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