Bundesliga
Union Berlin suffer last-gasp Real Madrid loss
UEFA Champions League debutants Union Berlin's hopes of taking a point off record winners Real Madrid were dashed by an injury-time goal from Jude Bellingham.
Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin
Goals: 1-0 Bellingham 90'+4
On what was a momentous, historical night for the visitors at the home of the record tournament winners, Union largely frustrated their prestigious hosts in the first half. A frantic start saw Lucas Tousart booked in the opening minute for a foul on living footballing legend Luka Modrić while home forward Joselu flashed a header off target when well placed. Yet, backed by a vociferous visiting support, the Berliners also had their moments. Kevin Behrens nodded over from Josip Juranović's centre as Urs Fischer's men settled into their opulent surroundings. Largely reduced to long-range efforts for a time, Madrid's struggles were reflected by an increasingly tetchy crowd as the half wore on.
Having won their previous five group stage games at home, the hosts were always going to ratchet up the pressure after the break and so it proved. Frederik Rønnow saved from Rodrygo while the same player volleyed against the Union woodwork just seconds later. Now in full flow, Carlo Ancelotti's side produced another fine chance via Rodrygo's cross from the left which was met by Joselu's header. Rønnow came to Union's rescue by tipping the ball against the woodwork. Despite their dominance, the men in white were still susceptible to The Irons' counter-thrust game and were almost caught out when Sheraldo Becker's centre just evaded substitute Brenden Aaronson. The action swinging back the other way, Antonio Rüdiger and Joselu spurned further Real chances. As the game drifted into injury time, the Bundesliga side looked to have done enough. However, former Borussia Dortmund man Bellingham popped up at the death to break Union hearts with an opportunistic strike.
Watch: Find out all about Champions League debutants Union
Match stats
- Union are the 15th German team to play in the Champions League groups (more than any other nation).
- By contrast, record winners Real have contested a tournament-leading 305 Champions League games.
- Leonardo Bonucci was a 2014/15 Champions League runner-up with former club Juventus. He has now made 85 appearances in the competition, including six against Real (W1, D2, L3).
- Juranovic, Kevin Volland and Robin Gosens are the only other Union players with previous Champions League experience.
- Bellingham won four of six meetings with Union as a Dortmund player. This Matchday 1 encounter saw the England international score his first goal against the capital club.
- David Alaba, Joselu, Toni Kroos and Rüdiger are former Bundesliga players, like Bellingham.
Teams
Real: Kepa - Vázquez, Rüdiger, Nacho (c) (Fran García 73'), Alaba - Modrić (Brahim Díaz 80'), Tchouameni (Valverde 66'), Camavinga (Kroos 65') - Bellingham - Joselu, Rodrygo
Unused subs: Lunin, Cañizares, Ceballos, Mendy, Gonzalo, Tobias
Out: Courtois (knee), Güler (knee), Militao (knee), Vinicius (thigh)
Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Union: Rønnow - Doekhi, Bonucci (Jaeckel 80'), Leite - Kral - Juranovic, Laidouni (Aaronson 66'), Tousart (Kemlein 83'), Gosens - Becker (c) (Fofana 80'), Behrens (Volland 66')
Unused subs: Schwolow, Stein, Roussillon, Trimmel
Out: Haberer (suspended), Khedira (calf), Knoche (muscular), Schäfer (foot)
Coach: Urs Fischer
As it happened!
1 - 0(0 - 0)
Madrid
FINAL
Union Berlin
vs
FULL TIME! Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin
Union were 60 seconds from holding the record European champions to a draw - but what an effort from the debutants. This day will never be forgotten. The performance will give them real hope they can get out of this group.
90' +4
vs
Heartbreak for Union!
Bellingham delivers at the last for Real, firing in following a scramble in the Union box.
89'
vs
Time added on
Union are FIVE minutes from a quite remarkable result on their Champions League debut...
86'
vs
Saved again!
Rønnow makes himself big to thwart Rodrygo at his near post. The Dane is playing a blinder - they all are!
83'
vs
Kemlein joins the action
The 19-year-old midfielder is on for only his third Union appearance, having been promoted to the senior team from the U19s over the summer.
83'
vs
Aljoscha Kemlein
Lucas Tousart
83'
vs
What a chance!
Bellingham with a cross from deep... Joselu connects in the box on the volley... wide!
80'
vs
Leonardo the leader!
Bonucci has been superb on his Union debut. Hard to believe he's 36! The hard-running Becker also makes way. Jaeckel and Fofana are on to get this over the line...
80'
vs
Brahim Diaz
Luka Modrić
80'
vs
David Datro Fofana
Sheraldo Becker
80'
vs
Paul Jaeckel
Leonardo Bonucci
79'
vs
Chance not taken
Yet another Joselu header, but this one is straight into a teammate. Is it going to be one of those nights for the hosts? Let's hope so!
75'
vs
Blushes spared!
Rønnow completely misses a corner, but Rüdiger - who perhaps doesn't expect it - can't direct the ball on target. The goal was gaping, too!
73'
vs
Fran Garcia
Nacho
69'
vs
No way past Rønnow!
Modrić tries his luck with a rising drive that the back-tracking Rønnow does well to claw over his crossbar. Real are trying everything!
66'
vs
Fresh legs
Fischer responds to that double Real change by throwing on Aaronson in midfield and Volland up top. They'll certainly give Real something different to think about in transition.
66'
vs
Brenden Aaronson
Aissa Laidouni
66'
vs
Kevin Volland
Kevin Behrens
65'
vs
Federico Valverde
Aurélien Tchouaméni
65'
vs
Toni Kroos
Eduardo Camavinga
63'
vs
Super Fred!
Rønnow with another superb save, perhaps his best yet, as he tips Joselu's towering header onto the upright.
61'
vs
Union hustle
Real continue to circulate the ball, but Union's press is keeping them at arm's length. Fischer really has got his game plan spot on!
55'
vs
Strong stop!
Camavinga feeds Joselu for a shot the diving Rønnow is able to beat away. Real just keep coming...
55'
vs
Mounting pressure
Union have some defending to do as Bonucci gets in the way to prevent Rodrygo from going through. The visitors have a storm to ride...
51'
vs
Crossbar!
Rodrygo goes past Leite and takes aim. Rønnow doesn't know a great deal about it, but does really well to block with his just. The ball's returned with interest, and this time it's the woodwork that thwarts Rodrygo. The game's bet chance by a mile!
49'
vs
Gosens!
Behrens does really well to shield the ball before laying it off for Gosens, who drives into the side netting. No fear from Union.
46'
vs
Second half!
No changes from either side in the Spanish capital. Union had 29 percent possession in the first half - can they maintain intensity levels?
0 - 0
Kick-off!
vs
Half-time! Real Madrid 0-0 Union
Stubborn, spirited and high on intensity, Union have been superb on their Champions League debut. Real have created chances, but have generally struggled to find the spaces when in possession, and have had to be on full alert when the Berliners have attempted to turn defence into attack. More of the same from Fischer's charges will do very nicely indeed.
45' +1
vs
Wide!
Alaba steals in ahead of Bonucci at the near post, but flicks his header from a corner wide of the target.
44'
vs
Added time
Two added minutes are shown on the fourth official's electronic board. It looks like Král will at least try to make it to the half-time whistle...
41'
vs
Král concern
The Union midfielder needs treatment for that earlier challlenge from Tchouaméni that produced Real's first caution. He may have to come off...
38'
vs
Right idea
Behrens presses high and retrieves the ball. He immediately looks for the pace of Becker, but overcooks his attempted pass through to Kepa.
37'
vs
Aurélien Tchouaméni
34'
vs
Frustrations creeping in
Nacho with a speculative effort from downtown. This is not going Real's way, despite all their possession.
19s
vs
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27'
vs
Wayward
Tchouameni takes possession outside the box, before blazing comfortably over the Union goal. The Bundesliga club will be happy to see efforts like that all day long.
25'
vs
Over from Joselu!
The former, Frankurt, Hoffenheim and Hannover striker gets up to a Modrić corner, but can't keep his header down. He's making a real nuisance of himself from set-pieces...
21'
vs
Thin ice
Král is penalised twice in quick succession for fouls on Bellingham. The Union man would do well to rein it in, especially with Tousart already on a booking so early in the game.
17'
vs
Talking tactics
Real are dictating the pace of the game, with Union happy to use their counter-attacking wiles at any available opportunity.
13'
vs
Wide!
Bellingham miscues from range, but that's a reminder of his confidence levels right now.
9'
vs
Behrens!
Union giving as good as they get as Behrens heads a Juranovic cross off target. All four of his Bundesliga goals so far this season have been headers...
7'
vs
Chances!
Joselu escapes the attentions of the Union defence to head a Vázquez cross against Doekhi and wide. Bellingham goes for a cheeky back-heel that catches everyone off guard following the corner, but Union survive.
3'
vs
Rønnow called on
Now it's Real's turn to attack as Joselu gets his head to Bellingham's cross from deep, forcing Rønnow into the first save of the contest. Union almost undone by a made-in-the-Bundesliga moment.
2'
vs
Lively start
Tousart is booked inside the opening 60 seconds for a challenge on Modrić. Union get the resultant free-kick clear and work an opening of their own, with Rüdiger getting in the way of a Behrens effort on goal.
1'
vs
Lucas Tousart
1'
vs
Under way in Madrid!
Union's first-ever Champions League match. This is going to be special, whatever happens.
0 - 0
Kick-off!
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