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Bellingham blows new roof off Madrid stadium with late derby winner


By AFP
Published : 03 Sep 2023 08:49 PM | Updated : 03 Sep 2023 08:49 PM

Jude Bellingham rescued Real Madrid with a 95th minute strike to secure a 2-1 win over Getafe Saturday and maintain Los Blancos' perfect start to LaLiga, as they played with a closed roof at Santiago Bernabeu for the first time.

The England international netted his fifth goal in four games to snatch three points from the derby clash, Real’s first game without injured forward Vinicius Junior.

Joselu, the Brazilian's replacement, had pulled Carlo Ancelotti's side level after former Real striker Borja Mayoral sent the visitors ahead in the first match under a roof at Madrid's remodelled stadium.

LaLiga leaders Real started the season with their opening three games all away from home, while construction work continued.

It allowed for the retractable roof to be finished and it was closed Saturday, with rain hitting the Spanish capital - but not the players.

"It's a spectacular atmosphere, there's something new," Real coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

"I think the fans pushed a lot, it's a much more enclosed atmosphere.

"You can feel that the fans pushed - it's going to be a very important help."

Getafe did not include on loan Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood in their squad, after his arrival Friday.

The forward had been suspended by the Red Devils since January 2022 after facing allegations of abuse although prosecutors subsequently dropped the charges.

"Obviously we can only talk about football, about other issues, I think, that the people and the relevant systems did what they had to do, and everybody knows how it ended - without a condemnatory sentence," said Getafe coach Jose Bordalas.

“Therefore, (he's) a free person, a footballer of the highest level, who comes to Getafe with enormous hope. We are going to help him to recover his best level.”