Bellingham recreates Ronaldo's scoring record
In the 81st minute, from the corner of Toni Kroos, the striker came on to replace Joselu with a header to let Bellingham fly his header to beat goalkeeper Ivan Villar, bringing three points for the visitors.
Before that, the English midfielder greeted La Liga with a volley that hit the ground to the top corner, contributing to Real's 2-0 win at Bilbao, and then a brace in the 3-1 win at Almeria. With four goals in the first three La Liga matches, Bellingham replicated Ronaldo's goalscoring record in the first three games for Real in the 2009-2010 season.
Among the rookies of Real this summer, Bellingham - whose transfer fee is 110 million USD from Dortmund - is the most expected. Last season, the English midfielder contributed 14 goals and seven assists for Dortmund, being voted Bundesliga Player of the Year. Four goals and the number one position in the scoring race and three wins with Real in La Liga partly show that Bellingham deserves that expectation.
After the match, coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his students: "Scoring is not the most important quality, but Bellingham is playing very well, moving well, being wise and being in the right place at the right time. He has excellent space-seeking ability".
On the Abanca-Balaidos field yesterday, Real started badly and was underwhelmed in the first half. In the 3rd minute, Jorgen Strand Larsen shot from outside the box and hit two Real players who changed direction, causing rookie goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga to not react. But after going to the touchline to review the video, referee Isidro Diaz de Mera denied the goal when he thought that a Celta player had fouled Kepa in the penalty area in the previous situation.
Real only improved the game in the second half. In the 66th minute, Rodrygo rushed into the penalty area and was stopped by Villar and brought home a penalty. But on the 11m mark, the Brazilian striker failed with a shot to the left corner that was saved. Real missed five of the last 17 penalties in La Liga, the same number as the previous 77 penalties in the tournament.
After the game, coach Ancelotti was angry when Luka Modric - who was assigned the penalty kick - did not take the penalty. The Italian coach emphasized that the players must not decide who to play on the field and do not know what happened.
Real's victory was also incomplete when Vinicius was injured and left the field to make way for Joselu in the 18th minute. Ancelotti said the Brazilian striker had no serious problems, but would miss the next match against Getafe on September 2.
