Jude Bellingham weaved his way through the Napoli defense at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium to score his eighth goal in his first nine games for Real Madrid. But they needed a late Fede Valverde rocket shot to give them the 3-2 win.
Bellingham’s brilliant goal put Real Madrid 2-1 ahead but after the Italian champions drew level from the penalty spot Valverde’s bus came back off the crossbar, hit the head of Napoli keeper Alex Meret, and went as Madrid took all three points.
There were just over ten minutes left of the first half when Bellingham scored. He had already brought Real Madrid back into the game with an assist for Vinicius to cancel out Napoli’s opener.
He carried the ball with all the usual grace and menace as Napoli’s retreating defense went first past André-Frank Anguissa and then swerved Stanislav Lobotka's desperate challenge. And just as Natan lunged to block his shot he beat Alex Meret with a low shot. And then came the celebration with the arms outstretched and Vinicus stooping, pretending to take a photograph of the moment.
Napoli’s opening goal had come on 19 minutes when Kepa came out for a corner and punched the Neapolitan night air but not the ball.
Natan headed back across the six-yard box and the Norwegian centre-back Leo Skiri Ostigard powered a header under the crossbar.
Napoli did not hold their lead for long. On 27 minutes Giovanni Di Lorenzo brought the ball out from the back for Napoli but in a flash, Bellingham had nicked it from him and played it into Vinicius who picked out the far corner with a neat finish.
Seven minutes later Madrid was in front with Bellingham scoring his second goal in two European games for Real Madrid.
Kepa saved Victor Osimhen’s close-range bullet header to keep Ancelotti’s team ahead at the break.
Napoli did level on 54 minutes with some help from VAR. As Nacho slid in to block Osimhen his hands were slightly raised and one blocked the cross-shot. The Nigerian striker did not appeal but after a lengthy delay, Clement Turpin went pitchside to look at the replay. He pointed to the shot and Piotr Zielinski scored the penalty off a post.
He might then have put Napoli ahead but Kepa saved well. It was a slugging match now with the exchange of blows befitting a knockout game more than a group match.
Bellingham was booked for dissent and could have headed Madrid in front from substitute Luka Modric’s cross shortly afterward, but he nodded it wide.
Then came Valverde's thundering winner. Madrid managed to hang on at the end with Kepa safely holding everything Napoli sent his way. It's a big win, meaning they top their group with maximum points.
Bellingham’s brilliant goal put Real Madrid 2-1 ahead but after the Italian champions drew level from the penalty spot Valverde’s bus came back off the crossbar, hit the head of Napoli keeper Alex Meret, and went as Madrid took all three points.
There were just over ten minutes left of the first half when Bellingham scored. He had already brought Real Madrid back into the game with an assist for Vinicius to cancel out Napoli’s opener.
He carried the ball with all the usual grace and menace as Napoli’s retreating defense went first past André-Frank Anguissa and then swerved Stanislav Lobotka's desperate challenge. And just as Natan lunged to block his shot he beat Alex Meret with a low shot. And then came the celebration with the arms outstretched and Vinicus stooping, pretending to take a photograph of the moment.
Napoli’s opening goal had come on 19 minutes when Kepa came out for a corner and punched the Neapolitan night air but not the ball.
Natan headed back across the six-yard box and the Norwegian centre-back Leo Skiri Ostigard powered a header under the crossbar.
Napoli did not hold their lead for long. On 27 minutes Giovanni Di Lorenzo brought the ball out from the back for Napoli but in a flash, Bellingham had nicked it from him and played it into Vinicius who picked out the far corner with a neat finish.
Seven minutes later Madrid was in front with Bellingham scoring his second goal in two European games for Real Madrid.
Kepa saved Victor Osimhen’s close-range bullet header to keep Ancelotti’s team ahead at the break.
Napoli did level on 54 minutes with some help from VAR. As Nacho slid in to block Osimhen his hands were slightly raised and one blocked the cross-shot. The Nigerian striker did not appeal but after a lengthy delay, Clement Turpin went pitchside to look at the replay. He pointed to the shot and Piotr Zielinski scored the penalty off a post.
He might then have put Napoli ahead but Kepa saved well. It was a slugging match now with the exchange of blows befitting a knockout game more than a group match.
Bellingham was booked for dissent and could have headed Madrid in front from substitute Luka Modric’s cross shortly afterward, but he nodded it wide.
Then came Valverde's thundering winner. Madrid managed to hang on at the end with Kepa safely holding everything Napoli sent his way. It's a big win, meaning they top their group with maximum points.
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