REAL MADRID STAR JUDE BELLINGHAM REWRITES EL CLáSICO HISTORY BOOKS
Jude Bellingham made El Clásico history, becoming the youngest Real Madrid player in the 21st century to score and assist. His game-winning goal secured a 2-1 victory over Barcelona, marking a stellar return to form.
Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid - Photo Agency/Getty Images
Jude Bellingham etched his name in the annals of El Clásico history with a magnificent effort during Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Barcelona.
In the twenty-first century, the England international is now the youngest Real Madrid player to record a goal and an assist in El Clásico. Bellingham was 22 years and 119 days old when he achieved the feat.
For his strong performance against the Catalans in the 2023 Copa del Rey semifinals, Vinícius Júnior previously owned the record. The winger, who is 22 years and 267 days old, scored the first goal in the second leg of the match at Camp Nou and then assisted Karim Benzema in scoring a hat-trick.
Bellingham now holds the record after two years. In the first Clásico of the 2025–26 season, the midfielder put Los Blancos on the scoreboard with a superbly executed ball to Kylian Mbappé.
Then, just before halftime, he was in the right spot at the right moment to tap in what ultimately proved to be the game-winning goal for Xabi Alonso's team on Sunday afternoon.
Bellingham was rehabilitating from shoulder surgery, thus Real Madrid had to play without him for the first month of the season. Los Blancos are at their finest when the 22-year-old is on the field, but the Spanish powerhouses performed admirably without him, winning La Liga.
After spending so much time on the sidelines, Bellingham took some time to find his form again. Alonso did him no favours by starting him in the season's first Madrid derby so soon after he was available.
But now Bellingham returns to his former self. After scoring Real Madrid's only goal against Juventus on Wednesday, the former Borussia Dortmund star went on to score another game-winning goal against Barcelona.
Bellingham performed admirably against Juventus, Barcelona, and even Getafe. In his postgame press conference, Alonso stated, "He has had three really strong games, and we understood that before the last break he needed minutes to get going and have a feel for things."
"After the break, he has performed better than anticipated. He is a player who focuses a lot on connecting, feeling, and transmitting. He has played several excellent games.
DISCIPLINARY BLOW: MADRID PLAYER SUSPENDED POST EL CLáSICO TUSSLE
Real Madrid's backup keeper Andriy Lunin has been handed a one-game suspension by the RFEF for his aggressive conduct on the bench during the heated final moments of El Clásico. Real Madrid's appeal was rejected.
El Clásico Scuffle - Photo Credit Getty Images
Los Blancos' goalie Andriy Lunin has been suspended for one game by the RFEF Disciplinary Committee for his involvement in the sideline dramas during the El Clásico's final moments. Although the cameras did not catch it, referee Soto Grado did record that he had sent the Ukrainian off.
According to Mundo Deportivo, the RFEF responded as follows when asked why Lunin received a red card.
The reason for Lunin, Andrii's expulsion in the 90th minute was that he had to be restrained by his teammates after he walked aggressively from his bench to the blonde bench.
The disciplinary committee of the RFEF
"When considered significant, those whose behaviour violates sporting order will be suspended for four to ten games or fined between 602 and 3,006 euros."
Because of Lunin's actions, which constituted a minor violation of the sporting order, he was suspended for one game. The ruling had been challenged by Real Madrid. However, the RFEF stayed steadfast, defending the referee's ruling and the evidence in the match report and on film.
Now, the backup goalie will not play against Valencia this weekend, where he is probably going to be benched. Fran Gonzalez and Sunico, both from the youth team, might be called up as the matchday squad's third choice, with Sergio Mestre serving as a backup.
No Barcelona players or any other Real Madrid players were slapped with bans following the two flash moments in the closing stages of the game. When Vinicius Jr. and Lamie Yamal argued, even players who were not on the team were spotted shoving on the side of the field. The RFEF, however, determined that nothing that came to pass would justify further prohibitions.
ARSENAL STAR DROPS CONFIDENT TITLE HINT AFTER STRONG OPENING
Arsenal star Bukayo Saka is targeting a historic Premier League and World Cup double with England this season. The winger believes it's a "doable" feat as the Gunners lead the title race.
Bukayo Saka - (Image: David Price/Arsenal FC)
According to Bukayo Saka, it is feasible for Arsenal and England to win both games this season. The season has started well for the Gunners under Mikel Arteta's leadership.
Arsenal leads the Premier League standings by four points at the moment and is starting to look like a title contender. Manchester City is only one point ahead of defending champions Liverpool, who are seven points behind.
Saka, however, is not only interested in winning at his club; he also hopes to succeed internationally. Manager Thomas Tuchel has stated that winning the trophy is his ambition for England, who have qualified for the World Cup in the USA next year.
Saka is optimistic about his club's and his nation's chances of winning. "Yeah, that is my prayer," he remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. It is possible, of course.