Lookman scores, but Mbappe, Vincius and Bellingham ensure Real Madrid beat Atalanta

Real Madrid’s offensive power inflicted a painful defeat on an Atalanta side that arguably deserved more from the contest.

In a game where attacking talents flourish, the team that had more quality up front, Real Madrid, triumphed, beating Atalanta 3-2.

Kylian Mbappe gave Real Madrid an early lead, but Charles De Ketelaere restored parity before half-time. La Dea threatened to blow away the visitors in the second-half but Real Madrid, against the run of play, scored twice, through Vinicius and Bellingham.

Ademola Lookman halved the deficit for Atalanta just beyond the hour mark, but Atalanta could not muster a comeback before Polish referee Szymon Marciniak ended proceedings.

Kylian Mbappe set the tone early, collecting Brahim Diaz’s pass and firing into the bottom corner for his 50th goal in the competition.

Atalanta pushed for an equaliser, with Lookman’s pair of chances blocked or saved. Atlanta were on the ascendency, and Real Madrid’s chances had a damper when Mbappe was forced off injured in the 36th minute.

The momentum shifted further in Atalanta’s favour when Rudiger conceded a penalty, which Charles De Ketelaere converted emphatically to level the scores. Buoyed by this equaliser, Atalanta started the second half brightly, with De Ketelaere and Lookman forcing saves from Thibaut Courtois.

However, Real Madrid regained the lead in the 57th minute through Vinícius Junior’s clinical finish after Éderson’s miscued clearance. Jude Bellingham then extended the lead, cutting inside Marten de Roon and beating Carnesecchi.

Atalanta refused to yield, and Lookman smashed a shot through Lucas Vázquez’s legs and past Courtois to reduce the deficit. Both teams had further chances to add to the scoreboard, but the scoreline remained the same, as Real Madrid won to 18th on the log.