Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham all scored in the same match for the first time as Real Madrid secured a crucial three points by beating Atalanta BC 3-2 in the Champions League this evening.
Los Blancos started the night just inside the knockout places in 24th, after a dismal start by their lofty standards, and earned just their third win of the league phase in a very tense encounter with the Serie A leaders.
Mbappe looked lively early on, testing Atalanta keeper Marco Carnesecchi, before giving Carlo Ancelotti's side the lead inside 10 minutes with a clinical finish, but he was then forced off with injury later in the opening period.
Aurelien Tchouameni's rash foul on Sead Kolasinac saw Atalanta equalise from the spot thanks to the in-form Charles De Ketelaere, but a quick-fire second-half double from Vini Jr and Bellingham seemed to put the game beyond Gian Piero Gasperini's men.
However, within five minutes, Ademola Lookman dragged La Dea back into the game again, making it 3-2 with over 25 minutes remaining, but despite heavy pressure on Thibaut Courtois's goal the hosts could not find a dramatic leveller late on, with Mateo Retegui missing a glaring open goal in the final minute of injury time.
That sees Atalanta's nine-game winning run come to an end, and it is also the first time since mid-September that they have suffered defeat in any competition.
Atalanta drop out of the top eight with tonight's defeat, seeing Bayern Munich, Brest and Aston Villa all overtake them, while Real Madrid are up to 17th with nine points from their six games so far, but those placing are set to change following Wednesday's fixtures.
ATALANTA VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
Mbappe goal vs. Atalanta (10th min, Atalanta 0-1 Real Madrid)
Carnesecchi has denied him once, but he was helpless to this one, as Mbappe gives Real Madrid an early lead thanks to a fabulous first touch beyond Marten de Roon and a powerful low strike with the laces beyond the La Dea goalkeeper.
De Ketelaere penalty vs. Real Madrid (45+2 min, Atalanta 1-1 Real Madrid)
With Mbappe now off the field, Atalanta are also level! Tchouameni's trip on Kolasinac sees Szymon Marciniak point to the spot, and De Ketelaere steps up and buries it into the top corner, racking up his seventh goal involvement in the Champions League already.
Vini Jr goal vs. Atalanta (56th min, Atalanta 1-2 Real Madrid)
A huge stroke of good fortune helps Real to retake the lead in Bergamo and it is Vini Jr with his first shot of the evening. An attempt to clear ricochets off Ederson and inadvertently plays the Brazilian attacker through, and he shows fine composure to beat Carnesecchi in the Atalanta goal.
Bellingham goal vs. Atalanta (59th min, Atalanta 1-3 Real Madrid)
And in the blink of an eye Real double their lead! Vini Jr's long ball in behind is latched onto by Bellingham, and Los Blancos's number five side-steps De Roon and fires beyond Carnesecchi, who may think he could have done better with an effort that was rather central.
Lookman goal vs. Real Madrid (65th min, Atalanta 2-3 Real Madrid)
It is the perfect response for Atalanta! Lookman takes on Lucas Vazquez and fires towards Courtois's near post, catching the big Belgian out and bringing the hosts back into the game, and the Nerazzurri are keen to get play going again!
MAN OF THE MATCH - JUDE BELLINGHAM
After going 12 games without a goal in the Champions League, Bellingham looked back to the player he was early last season, influencing play in all areas of the pitch, and his superb footwork ultimately led to the third and all-important goal for a crucial Real win.
ATALANTA VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Atalanta 55%-45% Real Madrid
Shots: Atalanta 20-10 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Atalanta 9-6 Real Madrid
Corners: Atalanta 5-2 Real Madrid
Fouls: Atalanta 15-13 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Serie A leaders Atalanta travel to Sardinia to face Cagliari on Saturday, while Real Madrid will look to overtake Barcelona at the top of La Liga for a short time at least when they make the short trip to Rayo Vallecano later the same day.
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