Try GOLD - Free
Bellingham pounces to keep Madrid's perfect start
The Guardian
|October 23, 2025
It wasn’t a classic, but the chorus from the Santiago Bernabéu was. It had been a while and they had missed moments like this, but for the first time since April Fool’s Day Jude Bellingham stood before the south end of this stadium with his arms wide listening to them sing Hey Jude.
There had been a shoulder injury, and doubts about his role too, but now he had scored his first goal of the season, ultimately took Real Madrid to a 1-0 win over a Juventus side that aren’t what they once were.
With just two points and sitting below the cut, the Italians may yet struggle to progress from the league phase of a competition in which they have played nine finals. They may reflect on a decent start, an exceptional Thibaut Courtois save, a great opportunity wasted on 85 minutes and another save from Courtois in added time. Madrid had lived dangerously at times, but ultimately though had done more, racking up 30 shots and their third win in three.
Lined up in a 5-3-2, with the wing-backs allowed to run, Pierre Kalulu in particular, Juventus began brightly. Madrid dominated possession, the stats saying 70%-30% in the first half, but there was an intent about the visitors when they ventured forwards during those early moments.
This story is from the October 23, 2025 edition of The Guardian.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Guardian
The Guardian
Ukrainian uses ChatGPT as coach on way to silver medal
Team Ukraine have hit the ground running at the Winter Paralympics, standing second in the medal table after three days of competition.
1 mins
March 10, 2026
The Guardian
A solution to Tottenham's woes: let Stephen Mangan have a go in the hot seat
How do you solve a problem such as Tottenham Hotspur?
4 mins
March 10, 2026
The Guardian
The tiny island caught up in Japan's tensions with China
His island home is shrouded in mist, but his union jack woolly hat makes Hideya Yagi easy to -spot as he greets the approaching boat.
6 mins
March 10, 2026
The Guardian
Reeves warns of cost-of-living rise as war on Iran hikes energy prices
Chancellor says 'rapid de-escalation' the best way to curb inflation
4 mins
March 10, 2026
The Guardian
New leader is supreme insider but also a mystery
Crowds in Tehran greeted the announcement of the country's new supreme leader by chanting: \"God's hand is still upon us, Khamenei is still our leader.\"
4 mins
March 10, 2026
The Guardian
'Operation epic failure' Fears of crackdown on dissent
At about midday, even as airstrikes hit several parts of the capital, large crowds gathered in Tehran's Enghelab Square to chant their allegiance to Iran's new supreme leader.
2 mins
March 10, 2026
The Guardian
Italy's last cantastorie still performing at 90
When Franco Trincale was a barber boy, he used to sing Sicilian songs in breaks between customers, his boss strumming the guitar.
2 mins
March 10, 2026
The Guardian
The small businesses losing hope of a refund
The US supreme court recently struck down Donald Trump's tariffs, opening the door to $175bn (£130bn) in refunds for businesses that paid the import taxes.
3 mins
March 10, 2026
The Guardian
Relegation battle is Tudor's focus, not Champions League
Tottenham's interim head coach, Igor Tudor, called tonight's Champions League last-16 first leg at Atlético Madrid a \"beautiful game\", but admitted it was not the priority as they battle against relegation from the Premier League.
1 mins
March 10, 2026
The Guardian
Liverpool visit City and Blues host Port Vale in Cup quarters
Manchester City will host Liverpool in a mouthwatering FA Cup quarterfinal after last night's draw.
1 mins
March 10, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size
