Jude Bellingham has come to the rescue again in stoppage time as record winners Real Madrid celebrated a lucky 1-0 victory in their Champions League opener against fighting German debutants Union Berlin.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
England midfielder Bellingham poked home into the empty net in the fourth minute of added on time in a goalmouth scramble. It is the sixth goal for Bellingham in as many games since arriving at the Bernabeu from Borussia Dortmund.
Real missed injured forward Vinicius Junior and had found it hard to break down a firm defence from Union whose newly signed Italy veteran Leonardo Bonucci made his debut and several key interventions before coming off with 10 minutes left.
Rodrygo's artistic effort hit the right post and Joselu's header the left upright before Bellingham's late winner put Real top in Group C where Braga play Italian champions Napoli in a late fixture.
In Wednesday's other early game, Galatasaray fought from two goals down to a 2-2 draw in the final minutes against 10-man Copenhagen.
The Danish visitors led from Mohamed Elyounoussi in the 35th and Diogo Goncalves in the 58th but Copenhagen's Elias Jelert got his marching orders in the 73rd.
The home team eventually took advantage with stunning strikes by Sacha Boey and Tete in the final five minutes of normal time.
Australian Associated Press
