Bellingham started better than Ronaldo at Real
In the opening match on August 12, Bellingham greeted La Liga with a volley that hit the ground to the top corner, contributing to Real's 2-0 win at Bilbao. Yesterday, August 19, the British rookie continued to make a bold impression, playing a decisive role in the comeback of the defending runner-up team at Mediterraneo.
Bellingham scored his first goal from a bounce in the box after 19 minutes. Dani Carvajal's cross, Federico Valverde's header hit Bellingham and an Almeria player bounced back. The English midfielder quickly cushioned the corner, making goalkeeper Luis Maximiano unable to react.
At 20 years and 51 days, Bellingham is the second youngest player to score in both of his first two La Liga games in the 21st century, after Spain midfielder Markel Susaeta in 2007 (19 years 275 days).
In the 60th minute, Bellingham completed a brace with a header from Toni Kroos' cross. With three goals in two matches, the English midfielder surpassed Ronaldo's goal record in the first two matches for Real. In the 2009-2010 season, the Portuguese striker contributed a goal in the opening match against Deportivo 3-2 at home and a goal in the next match with a 3-0 victory at Espanyol.
Yesterday, after scoring twice, Bellingham also provided an assist for Vinicius to score. In the 73rd minute, Bellingham passed a touch for the Brazilian striker to finish in the penalty area to the far corner, out of the reach of goalkeeper Luis Maximiano, scoring the first goal in La Liga this season. As a result, Bellingham became the third player to contribute to four goals in the first two La Liga games of the 21st century, after Wesley Sneijder in August 2007 and Mounir El Hamdaoui in September 2013.
Among the rookies of Real this summer, Bellingham - whose transfer fee of 110 million USD from Dortmund - received the most expectations. Last season, the English midfielder contributed 14 goals and seven assists for Dortmund, being voted Bundesliga Player of the Year. Three goals with the number one position in the scoring race and two winning matches with Real in La Liga partly show that Bellingham deserves that expectation.
"I'm ten times better than myself last season," Bellingham said after the game. "The level here is very high, I'm like a sponge absorbing everything. That's why I'm doing well, but I have to keep improving and contributing to the team. I'm happy to score, but It's more important to help the team win."
The English midfielder's brilliant form helped Real win all three points despite letting Almeria go ahead in the 3rd minute thanks to a close-range header from Sergio Arribas. In addition to this goal, Andriy Lunin played well when he saved Almeria's remaining seven shots on target. The 24-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper is still in charge even though Real have recruited Kepa on loan from Chelsea.
In the third round of La Liga on August 25, Real continued to be a guest against Celta.
