Jude Bellingham exhibits true colors with Fede Valverde response as Real destroy City
Federico Valverde scored a sensational hat-trick against Manchester City in the Champions League as Real Madrid ran riot at the Santiago Bernabeu
Jude Bellingham was stunned by Fede Valverde’s hat-trick
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham was left stunned after witnessing team-mate Federico Valverde net an incredible hat-trick in Wednesday night’s Champions League encounter against Manchester City.
Despite being without Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Eder Militao, Madrid were in blistering form against City. Alvaro Arbeloa’s side raced into a three-goal advantage within 42 minutes.
Valverde latched onto Thibaut Courtois’ long ball to fire the Spanish giants in front before adding his second seven minutes later. Towards the close of the half, the midfielder wrapped up his hat-trick with a spectacular strike.
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Brahim Diaz’s clever chipped pass inside the penalty area found Valverde, who flicked the ball over Ruben Dias and then Marc Guehi before smashing home past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
During the half-time break, TNT Sports captured Bellingham viewing the goal on a screen from the stands and being left open-mouthed, reports the Manchester Evening News.
He seemed to watch the strike twice on the screen inside the Santiago Bernabeu before paying tribute to his team-mate.
Matters nearly deteriorated further for Pep Guardiola’s outfit after Donnarumma felled Vinicius Junior inside the penalty area. However, the Italian goalkeeper thwarted the Brazilian from twelve yards.
City have to turn around the three goal deficit next week – and Madrid are expected to touch down in Manchester with a much stronger squad than the one that out-played them at the Bernabeu.
Bellingham is currently recovering from a hamstring problem, though there remains optimism that he can feature for the second leg at the Etihad Stadium next week.
It’s also believed that Mbappe is eager to make a comeback for the second leg.
