Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham was left absolutely stunned after watching team-mate Federico Valverde produce a breathtaking hat-trick in Wednesday evening’s Champions League showdown against Manchester City. Despite the absence of Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, Rodrygo and Eder Militao, Madrid were in scintillating form against City. Alvaro Arbeloa’s men raced into a three-goal advantage within just 42 minutes.
Valverde latched onto Thibaut Courtois’ long ball to put the Spanish giants ahead before doubling his tally seven minutes later. As the half drew to a close, the midfielder completed his hat-trick with a spectacular strike. Brahim Diaz’s clever looped ball into the box found Valverde, who flicked it over Ruben Dias and then Marc Guehi before volleying past Gianluigi Donnarumma into the bottom corner.
During the interval, TNT Sports captured Bellingham watching the goal on the big screen from his seat in the stands. The England midfielder was visibly gobsmacked, his mouth wide open as he rewatched the goal. He twice watched the replay on the screen inside the Santiago Bernabeu before paying tribute to his team-mate with a bow.
Matters nearly deteriorated further for Pep Guardiola‘s side when Donnarumma brought down Vinicius Junior inside the penalty area. However, the Italian goalkeeper denied the Brazilian from the spot. Yet City still went on to lose 3-0, giving themselves a mammoth challenge in the return leg.
Bellingham is currently recovering from a hamstring injury, though there is some hope he could return for the second leg at the Etihad next week. Mbappe is also fighting to return for the reverse match.
City face relegation-battling West Ham in their next game this Saturday. After the second leg against Los Blancos next Tuesday, Pep Guardiola’s charges travel to Wembley to take on Premier League leaders Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final next Sunday.