1. Real Madrid Triumph in Tough Champions League Test
Real Madrid revived their Champions League title defense with a 3-2 victory at Atalanta on Tuesday. Goals from Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham sealed the win in a thrilling contest. Despite a tough atmosphere in Bergamo, Madrid moved to 18th place with nine points from six matches.
A loss would have put Madrid at risk of dropping out of the play-off spots. However, they now stand three points off direct qualification to the last 16, with two games remaining in the group stage.
2. Atalanta Fights Back but Falls Short
Atalanta fought hard, with Charles De Ketelaere equalizing Mbappe’s early goal with a penalty in first-half stoppage time. Ademola Lookman then leveled the game with a brilliant strike in the 65th minute, after Vinicius and Bellingham had scored quick-fire goals for Madrid.
The game remained tense, with Atalanta pushing for an equalizer. Late in added time, Mateo Retegui missed a golden chance when he shot over the bar from a Lookman cross, allowing Madrid to hold on for the win.
3. Mbappe Injury Concerns
While Madrid celebrated the victory, there were concerns over Mbappe’s health. The French forward, who had been in excellent form, was forced off just before halftime due to hamstring discomfort.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti said the injury didn’t seem serious but would require further evaluation. Mbappe had been dangerous in the first half, even though Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi denied him on two occasions before he scored the opening goal.
4. Key Performances and Missed Opportunities
Atalanta played with heart and skill, but they were ultimately undone by a few unfortunate moments. They played well enough to deserve a draw but were let down by some missed chances, notably Retegui’s late miss. Despite the defeat, Atalanta’s coach Gian Piero Gasperini praised his team’s performance, saying they were not beaten in spirit.
For Madrid, Vinicius and Bellingham delivered when it mattered most, with the latter’s performance standing out in particular.