Champions League 2024-25: Vinicius Junior scores on return as Real Madrid beats Atalanta

Real Madrid got a much-needed 3-2 Champions League win at Atalanta on Tuesday thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham as the holder snapped a two-game losing run in the competition.

Real handed the Serie A leader its first defeat in this season’s revamped Champions League after Mbappe gave it the lead with a strike from inside the box in the 10th minute before he was forced off with an injury.

Charles de Ketelaere equalised with a penalty after Aurelien Tchouameni tripped Sead Kolasinac from behind just before the break but Vinicius Jr stroked home a rebound in the 56th minute to put the visitor back in front.

Bellingham extended its lead after a counter attack three minutes later but Ademola Lookman reduced the deficit in the 65th before Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois worked his magic with a string of saves to secure a hard-fought win.

With two games left, Real is 18th in the 36-team table on nine points, three points off the top eight spots which secure direct qualification to the last 16. Atalanta is ninth on 11 points.