Boyhood dreams are made of debuts like Jude Bellingham’s for Real Madrid. It featured a goal, the first of what Madrid hope will be many from their English star-in-the-making. It exuded confidence, initiative and authority. And it took place at a special venue, at the club, Athletic Bilbao, that has a justified claim, with its practice of picking only local players, to represent all that is most authentic in the upper tiers of European football.
The comfortable victory will lift Madrid morale in this, a season of significant transition and the clean sheet offer some reassurance as they deal with last week’s serious injury to goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. For their security at the back, some thanks to the endeavours of Bellingham, attentive to the defensive
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