For FC Barcelona, Saturday’s Clásico had all the ingredients for a letdown. They were plagued by injuries, playing in a make-shift formation, at a secondary stadium. Their opponents, Real Madrid, were a fit team full of modern star players. In addition, the match was overly commercialized by Spotify, quieter than usual, and faced numerous other limiting factors.
However, only one thing truly mattered in the end: Jude Bellingham.
Bellingham, the latest legend of El Clásico, single-handedly defeated Barcelona with a world-class goal and a stoppage-time winner, leading to a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid.
Madrid struggled throughout the first half, while Barcelona, despite their injuries, took an early lead and held onto it for 62 minutes.
But Bellingham, La Liga’s top scorer, already a sensation at Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu as a 20-year-old English newcomer, was waiting in the wings. He captured Spain’s imagination and took his growing legend to new heights on Saturday.
First, he unleashed a powerful shot with his right foot from about 30 yards out, sending it past Marc-André Ter Stegen to equalize the match at 1-1.
Then, he secured Real Madrid’s 255th Clásico victory with his 13th goal in 13 games against Barcelona, showcasing the type of goal that has defined his rise to prominence.
All of Bellingham’s goals have come from his role as an attacking midfielder. Playing at the tip of a diamond formation, he has transformed Los Blancos and continuously rescued them only a few months into his tenure at Madrid. He has scored against Getafe and Union Berlin, deflating opponent after opponent with his relentless pressing, composed passing, and well-timed bursts into the penalty box. Barcelona was just the latest team to fall victim to his brilliance.
Barcelona exceeded expectations in the first 45 minutes and took a 1-0 lead through their own midfield maestro, Ilkay Gündoğan. Gündoğan changed the game’s dynamic with a smooth finish in the sixth minute of his involvement in the historic rivalry. He capitalized on a weak intervention by Aurelien Tchouameni, exploited David Alaba’s indecision, and put Barcelona in front.
Meanwhile, Madrid appeared disorganized and struggled to gain control of the game despite their numerical advantage in midfield. Barcelona hit the post twice, and Vinicius Junior grew increasingly frustrated. However, Madrid’s quality resurfaced in the second half, fueled by none other than Bellingham.
Bellingham became a star in the English Championship at 16, dominated the German Bundesliga at 18, and impressed at the World Cup at 19. He has excelled on every stage he has graced, no matter its size.
So it was no surprise when he struck in the 92nd minute of the most-watched domestic club soccer game in the world. He calmly guided a floating ball into the net past Ter Stegen and celebrated with a composed demeanor, acknowledging the crowd and the cameras. The Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys was left in awe as Bellingham found a group of ecstatic Madrid fans in the upper deck and recreated his iconic celebration, which will be remembered as the emblem of El Clásico for months, and possibly years, to come.
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