Jude Bellingham watched on as his Real Madrid team-mates raced into a 3-0 lead against Manchester City, largely thanks to a top-class showing from Fede Valverde, who bagged a hat-trick
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham was left speechless after watching team-mate Federico Valverde score an astonishing hat-trick in Wednesday night’s Champions League clash against Manchester City.
Despite missing Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Eder Militao, Madrid were in red-hot form against City. Alvaro Arbeloa’s men stormed into a three-goal lead inside 42 minutes.
Valverde ran onto Thibaut Courtois’ long ball to put the Spanish giants ahead before doubling his tally seven minutes later. Towards the end of the half, the midfielder completed his hat-trick with a sensational goal.
Brahim Diaz’s neat looped ball inside the box played Valverde in, he flicked the ball over Ruben Dias and then Marc Guehi before volleying past Gianluigi Donnarumma.
During the half-time interval, TNT Sports showed Bellingham watching the goal on a screen from the stands and being left jaw-dropped.
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He appeared to watch the goal twice on the screen inside the Santiago Bernabeu before bowing to his teammate.
Things nearly went form bad to worse for Pep Guardiola’s side after Donnarumma brought Vinicius Junior down inside the area. However, the Italian shot-stopper denied the Brazilian from the spot.
Bellingham is currently nursing a hamstring injury, though there is hope that he can return for the return leg at the Etihad Stadium next week.
Mbappe is also thought to be pushing for a return to action for the second leg.
Watch Real Madrid vs Man City on TNT Sports
Man City have reached the UEFA Champions League round of 16 where they face Real Madrid on March 11. Fans can watch the game on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel.