Topics: Jude Bellingham, Real Madrid, Federico Valverde, Champions League
Jude Bellingham a priceless reaction to Federico Valverde's outrageous goal to seal a 22-minute hat-trick against Manchester City on Wednesday night.
Wearing the captain's armband, Valverde bagged his first ever career hat-rick in the Champions League round of 16 clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
With Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe among the big hitters missing for Los Blancos, Valverde stepped up in a huge way in the 15th Champions League meeting between the two sides and opened the scoring with an excellent marauding run down the right before rounding Gianluigi Donnarumma and slotting home.
He then produced a fine finish with his left foot to double Real's lead. But it was his third goal which had Bellingham producing an open-mouth reaction in the stands.
Advert
Valverde latched on to a scooped pass from Brahim Diaz, gloriously flicking the ball over Marc Guehi's head and volleying home.
TNT Sports showed footage of Bellingham watching the magical goal back as he stood in the stands and the England international was left astonished by what he saw, his jaw nearly dropping to the floor.
Stood next to his mum, Bellingham watched it back for a second time and cracked a huge smile as he looked at a friend in disbelief.
Bellingham has been absent since suffering a hamstring injury against Rayo Vallecano in early February and The Athletic reported that he may be in contention to return for the second leg against City next week.
However, the outlet stated that the derby with rivals Atletico Madrid five days later on March 22 may be more realistic.
In his absence, Alvaro Arbeloa put in 18-year-old youngster Thiago Pitarch ahead of Eduardo Camavinga Having only made his senior debut in the play-off leg first leg against Real Madrid last month, the midfielder produced an impressive display alongside Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni.
Belingham was recently in London for treatment on his injury as part of his recovery and Arbeloa confirmed that Real were fully supportive of the trip.
"Everything related to Bellingham and Mbappe's injuries is being perfectly managed by Real Madrid's medical services and physical preparation department," he explaioned.
"They have been in London and Paris with professionals from the club's medical services. Everything is being fully supervised by Real Madrid."
