Real Madrid reignited their Champions League title defence on Tuesday with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Atalanta in Bergamo. Goals from Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Jude Bellingham were enough to secure a vital win in a fiercely contested encounter, propelling Madrid to 18th place in the standings with nine points from six matches.
The match was a pivotal moment for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who faced the risk of falling out of the play-off places. The victory leaves Madrid just three points shy of the top eight positions required for direct qualification to the last 16, with two crucial matches remaining in their group-stage campaign.
Atalanta, previously unbeaten in the tournament, pushed Madrid to their limits. Charles De Ketelaere’s penalty in first-half stoppage time and Ademola Lookman’s strike in the 65th minute kept the Serie A leaders in contention, but Madrid’s quickfire goals from Vinícius and Bellingham proved decisive. Atalanta’s spirited performance saw them come agonisingly close to a late equaliser, with substitute Mateo Retegui missing a clear-cut chance in the dying moments.
Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini praised his team’s effort despite the defeat, stating, “We’re learning a lot from matches like this. The result was disappointing, but the performance was filled with heart and determination.”
Madrid’s victory was not without its setbacks, as Kylian Mbappé was forced off with a hamstring issue just before half-time. The French forward had been in scintillating form, opening the scoring early on and troubling Atalanta’s defence throughout his time on the pitch. “He felt some discomfort in his hamstring. It doesn’t seem serious, but we’ll assess him tomorrow,” said Ancelotti.
Vinícius Júnior marked his return from injury with a stunning 13th goal of the season, and Bellingham continued his stellar form with a brilliantly crafted finish shortly after. However, Madrid’s defence was tested repeatedly by an energetic Atalanta side, with Thibaut Courtois making key saves to preserve the win.
Despite their loss, Atalanta remain within striking distance of qualification, sitting ninth in the standings with matches against Sturm Graz and Barcelona ahead. Meanwhile, Madrid will look to carry the momentum from this victory into their final group-stage fixtures.
