Napoli 2-3 Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham produces stunning solo goal to continue his fine scoring spree at his new club to help Carlo Ancelotti’s side come back to beat the Serie A champions
- Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr both scored to help Real Madrid beat Napoli 3-2
- Carlo Ancelotti’s side dealt a stroke of luck thanks to an Alex Meret own goal
- CLICK HERE to listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s ‘It’s All Kicking Off’
Jude Bellingham weaved his way through the Napoli defence 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 obus 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 defence going first past André-Frank Anguissa and then swerving 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.
Jude Bellingham (middle) continued his fine goalscoring run to help Real Madrid seal a 3-2 victory against Napoli
The English midfielder produced a stunning solo run before battling past several defenders to put Madrid 2-1 up
It was his eighth goal in his first nine games after signing for Real Madrid earlier this summer
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Natan headed back across the six-yard box and the Norwegian centre-back Leo Skiri Ostigard powered a header under the cross bar.
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.
And seven minutes later Madrid were 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.
Madrid were put a goal down early on with Leo Ostigard heading into the roof of the net after 19 minutes
Vinicius Jr (middle) struck back not long after that to pull Carlo Ancelotti’s side level
But it would be Madrid who claimed victory after Fede Valverde’s shot bounced off the cross bar and off the head of the Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret to give them the win
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 shortly afterwards could have headed Madrid in front from substitute Luka Modric’s cross 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 and it means they top their group with maximum points.
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