Jude Bellingham scored in the last minute of injury-time as Real Madrid kicked off this season's UEFA Champions League campaign with a 1-0 win at home to Union Berlin.

Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid celebrates a goal during the UEFA Champions League Group C match between Real Madrid and Union Berlin in Madrid, Spain, Sept. 20, 2023. (Photo by Yuheng Zhang/Xinhua)

The England international was in the right place to stroke the ball home as it pinged around the Union penalty area in yet another Madrid attack, as the game threatened to end in a draw despite over 20 shots and 15 corners against a rival that defended bravely, especially in the second half.

With a derby against Atletico Madrid on Sunday, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti brought Luka Modric and Nacho Fernandez in to freshen his side up, while Lucas Vazquez started at right-back for the injured Dani Carvajal.

Both sides had chances in a high-octane start to the match, with Joselu sending a pair of efforts just wide, while at the other end, Kevin Behrens was distracted by Nacho when he looked to have the goal begging.

Real Madrid were looking to play the ball around, but Union always looked threatening on the break, perhaps causing the Spaniards to be more conservative with some of their play, although as the half progressed more and more of the match was being played in the Union half.

Arguably the best chance before the break came when Modric pulled the ball back to Bellingham, but the England international, with five goals this season, slipped at the wrong moment.

Rodrygo sounded a warning in the 52nd minute when he crashed Vazquez's cross onto the Union post as the game started to pick up intensity, with Union keeper Frederik Ronnow also pulling off a save to deny Joselu after good work from Eduardo Camavinga.

It was then Joselu's turn to hit the post after Ronnow got a hand on his downward header following a cross from Rodrygo, before Ancelotti refreshed his side with Toni Kroos and Federico Valverde replacing Eduardo Camavinga and the disappointing Aurelien Tchouameni.

Joselu then saw a goalbound header bounce back off Vazquez when it looked as if it would end up in the back of the net, while another header drifted just wide with Ronnow beaten.

It looked as if it wasn't to be Madrid's night, but once again Bellingham was in the right place to give his side a key win. 

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