BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Jude Bellingham's double led Real Madrid’s 3-1 fightback at Almeria on Saturday, taking his tally to three goals in two games since arriving to the Spanish league.
The 20-year-old England midfielder debuted for Madrid last weekend with a goal to seal victory at Athletic Bilbao in their season opener.
He improved on that superb start for the 14-time European champion with his brace and an assist at Almeria to help overturn an early goal by the modest host.
Vinícius Júnior added a third goal to seal the victory after he received the ball from Bellingham.
Bellingham, who joined Madrid on a 130-million-euro ($142 million) move from Borussia Dortmund this summer, scored eight goals in the Bundesliga last season.
Wearing the No. 5 of Madrid great Zinedine Zidane, Bellingham has immediately taken on a leading role on the field in Carlo Ancelotti's side.
According to Opta statistics, at 20 years, 51 days old, Bellingham became the second youngest player to score in his first two Spanish league games in this century. Athletic Bilbao’s Markel Suseata, at 19 years, 275 days old, was the youngest to do so in 2017.
Madrid’s player wore T-shirts in support of Éder Militão, who tore a ligament in his left knee at Bilbao. That followed goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois tearing a knee ligament in practice. Both will be sidelined for months after surgeries.
Former Real Madrid youth player Sergio Arribas gave Almeria a third-minute lead from a counterattack. Lucas Robertone sped down the left flank and crossed to the far post where Arribas headed past Andriy Lunin, who started while newcomer Kepa Arrizabalaga sat on the bench.
Bellingham brought Madrid back in the 19th when he used his shoulder to control a header by Federico Valverde, and shot off the turn to beat goalie Luís Maximiano.
Despite playing with some players who spent just weeks or days with the club, including Maximiano, who arrived this week on loan from Lazio, Almeria was able to take Madrid on — until Bellingham put the visitors ahead.
Lunin had to stretch to repel Robertone’s low strike from distance. That was shortly after Madrid’s Rodrgyo forced Maximiano to block his powerful shot as the action flowed back and forth.
Kroos had a goal waived off in first-half injury time after a video review found Dani Carvajal committed a foul before delivering the assist.
That was when Bellingham did it again on the hour mark.
Bellingham struck for a second time in the game, and a third in just 150 minutes with Madrid, when he slid between two defenders and used the side of his head to redirect in a lobbed pass by Kroos.
Vinícius’ goal in the 73rd was a beauty. The Brazil forward, who had been kept in check, beat Maximiano with a scooped shot from near the edge, which appeared to take a slight deflection before floating in.
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