Bellingham’s super assist for Vinicius scrapes Real past Leipzig in quarters

JUDE BELLINGHAM shook off his La Liga ban to help Real Madrid reach the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

The English superstar conjured up a super assist for Vinicius Junior after the hour.

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And although Leipzig immediately hit back through captain Willi Orban, it proved enough to go ahead after Real won the first leg 1-0 in Germany.

Bellingham will now have to sit out Madrid’s next two league games against Celta Vigo and Osasuna due to a two-match ban for his X-rated reaction in Valencia on Saturday.

According to the referee’s official match report, the 20-year-old repeatedly aggressively shouted “it’s a goal” after his last-gasp winner was ruled out in the 2-2 draw.

Bellingham was also fined £513, but Real boss Carlo Ancelotti confirmed before the Leipzig match that the club will appeal his ‘unfair’ punishment.

To be fair, Wednesday wasn’t a great day for Ancelotti, who became embroiled in a tax fraud scandal that could theoretically land him in jail.

At least his side managed to get over the line in these final sixteen seconds of the second leg, although they shut it down in a toothless first half.

Bellingham cut an isolated figure as Ancelotti unnecessarily opted for an extra midfielder and only Vinicius Jnr as a persistent attacker.

Leipzig should have capitalized, but were unable to capitalize on any of the many chances, with striker Lois Openda missing a hatful.

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Real’s unimpressed fans whistled in anger at half-time, with Ancelotti realizing his mistake and bringing on Rodrygo for Edouard Camavinga.

Openda had an open goal in sight shortly after half-time, albeit from a tight angle, after Real stopper Andriy Lunin was completely wrong when rushing out, but the Belgian could not convert.

The hosts finally had a shot on target in the 63rd minute when substitute Rodyrgo lashed towards the near post but was denied by former Hereford keeper Peter Gulacsi.

And two minutes later, almost inevitably, they had their opener.

Toni Kroos won possession and passed it to Bellingham, who ran upfield and played a beautiful pass for Vinicius to fire home.

At first glance, that seemed to be it. But Leizpig immediately leveled when Orban headed in David Raum’s cross three minutes later.

The visitors also had more opportunities through Openda and Orban, but were unable to take advantage of them. Dani Olmo hit the crossbar in injury time.

Real were nervous but pulled through – although Bellingham and Co will know they were extremely lucky not to crash.

Real midfielder Kroos said: “The result is one thing, how you play is another.

At half-time we had a good feeling about the result, but not about the way we played.

“The second half was a little better, but still not so good that you would say we clearly deserve to be in the next round. We didn’t do that well, but in the end we are in the quarter.” finals.”

Real’s ex-Chelsea defender Toni Rudiger was equally honest: “We suffered a lot. They played well and we played poorly. Simple.

“We were sloppy, we were slow, zero intensity. We did not rise to the challenges and in the Champions League you can be punished for that.

“We are not celebrating this match because it was not a good performance, but in the end we are done.

And boss Ancelotti admitted: “It was a poorly played match, with little intensity and little focus.

“The mental aspect made the difference, it influenced us enormously.”

Asked about tax evasion allegations, he added: “We are talking about something that happened in 2015 because they think I lived here.

“I have already paid the fine. I am convinced that I am innocent. We will see what the judge decides.”

Meanwhile, Leipzig was left with what could have happened as Orban said: “We had so many great opportunities that you have to make the most of.”