Mbappé, Vinícius Jr. and Bellingham Shine as Real Madrid Hold Off Atalanta in 3-2 Win

Real Madrid secured a vital 3-2 victory over Atalanta BC in the Champions League on Tuesday evening, with Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Jude Bellingham all finding the net in a dramatic contest. The win marked a crucial turning point for Los Blancos, who had struggled early in the group stage, but showed their resilience to claim all three points at the home of the Serie A leaders.

Mbappé was the star early in the match, with his early efforts setting the tone for the game. The French forward saw an early strike denied, but his clinical finish in the 10th minute gave Madrid the lead. Despite a promising start, Mbappé’s night was cut short when he was forced off the field with an injury in the first half. His departure was a worrying moment for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, especially given the attacking threat Atalanta posed.

Atalanta’s equalizer came just before halftime when Aurelien Tchouaméni committed a rash foul, resulting in a penalty for the hosts. Charles De Ketelaere made no mistake from the spot, leveling the score at 1-1.

However, Real Madrid responded quickly in the second half. Vinícius Jr. found the bottom corner with a low shot following a deflection, putting Los Blancos back in front just minutes after the break. Bellingham then made it 3-1, cutting inside and finishing with his weaker left foot, giving Madrid a commanding lead.

Atalanta weren’t done, though. The in-form Ademola Lookman pulled a goal back for the hosts, beating Thibaut Courtois at his near post with a well-placed finish in the 62nd minute. The home side continued to press, but Madrid held firm, despite some nervy moments.

The final chance for Atalanta came deep into injury time, when Mateo Retegui had a glorious opportunity to equalize, but his effort from close range sailed wide, handing Real Madrid the three points.

The victory not only ended Atalanta’s nine-match winning streak but also handed them their first defeat since mid-September. Atalanta will be disappointed to have failed to capitalize on their pressure, but Real Madrid showed enough character to weather the storm and return to winning ways in Europe.

For Madrid, the win boosts their standing in the group, taking them up to 17th place with nine points from six matches. Atalanta, despite the defeat, remain a dangerous side but drop out of the top eight, with Bayern Munich, Brest, and Aston Villa overtaking them.