This time there was no late, late Jude Bellingham celebration and no way back. The man who got injury-time winners in Real Madrid’s past two games, scorer of six goals in six games and the most decisive player – by far – in Spain this season, could not find another comic-book moment. Instead, the Englishman’s first Madrid derby ended with the Metropolitano crowd belting out Atlético’s anthem as Diego Simeone conducted them on their way to a 3-1 victory.
It also ended with Bellingham booked for a tackle on Ángel Correa that led to the two teams confronting each other. If that was an act of frustration perhaps, it could be understood. Toni Kroos’s superb strike had given Real hope just before half-time but, ultimately, two goals from Álvaro Morata and another from Antoine Griezmann gave the home side a deserved victory. It was only their second in the past 15 meetings between these two grand rivals.
