Real Madrid came back from an early deficit to win a tricky away game in Almeria and keep their clean sheet in their season opener. The Royals had Jude Bellingham to thank for that in a 3-1 win.
The Blancos had taken control early in Almeria, but they had fallen behind even earlier. Real allowed themselves to be caught off guard as early as the third minute of the game, Madrid’s own Arribas of all people, released by the Royals this summer, easily heading in on the counter-attack – and excusing himself instead of cheering.
A not untypical moment of Madrid inattention was followed by the aforementioned control of the game, garnished with a couple of chances. Tchouameni, however, did not place his header well enough after a corner (7th), Bellingham’s header was also unsuccessful (10th), Valverde’s attempt was blocked (15th).
Shortly afterwards the bell rang, Bellingham reacted quick-wittedly on the five-yard line and shot in – no offside, second league goal (19th). Deserved. Rodrygo lacked centimetres to turn the game around (27th), which was slipping away from Real more and more shortly before the break.
Real start to flounder before the interval
Baba felt Lunin ahead with a firm long-range shot (34th), Ramazani was allowed to head completely free at Real’s substitute keeper (38th). A little later, Rüdiger blocked against Ramazani (41st), in another scene he just missed from the back (45.+2).
In the sixth minute of injury time, Kroos shot in on the opposite side, which would have been quite flattering at that point. But the supposed lead was swiftly conceded because of a foul by Carvajal in the making.
The second period began on an equal footing, all the more so because both teams were now following the plan that possession would become a little more balanced. However, Real were initially unable to exploit spaces to counterattack.
Bellingham gives Kroos the idea
In the 60th minute it was finally a deep run by Bellingham that brought Kroos on the scene. Because Luis Maximiano rushed out of his box at the wrong moment, Bellingham was able to head in easily. While Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo remained largely inconspicuous, the ex-Dortmundian turned the game around for Real. Third goal in his second league appearance.
The game was turned around, but not yet decided. That changed in the 73rd minute – and again Bellingham was involved. Valverde’s cross was immediately passed on to Vinicius Junior, who scored into the corner. On the other side, Suarez had headed over shortly before (71st), and it was Almeria’s last good opportunity.
In a long injury time, the stabilised visitors from Madrid did not let anything happen and won their second league match with a two-goal lead. Next Friday (9.30 pm) Real will take on Celta in Vigo.