Champions League 2024-25: Vinicius Junior scores on return as Real Madrid beats Atalanta
The HinduReal Madrid got a much-needed 3-2 Champions League win at Atalanta on Tuesday thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham as the holder snapped a two-game losing run in the competition. Real handed the Serie A leader its first defeat in this season’s revamped Champions League after Mbappe gave it the lead with a strike from inside the box in the 10th minute before he was forced off with an injury. Bellingham extended its lead after a counter attack three minutes later but Ademola Lookman reduced the deficit in the 65th before Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois worked his magic with a string of saves to secure a hard-fought win. With two games left, Real is 18th in the 36-team table on nine points, three points off the top eight spots which secure direct qualification to the last 16.