Real Madrid maintained its perfect start to the new La Liga season with a 3-1 victory over Celta Vigo on Friday night.
The visitors took the lead in the 15th minute when Jude Bellingham scored his first goal for the club with a low shot from inside the box.
Celta equalized in the 32nd minute when Santi Mina headed in a cross from Denis Suarez, but Real restored its advantage just before halftime when Karim Benzema converted a penalty after a foul on Bellingham.
The hosts were reduced to 10 men in the 54th minute when Hugo Mallo was sent off for a second yellow card, and Real sealed the win in the 76th minute when Benzema scored his second goal of the night with a header from a cross by Luka Modric.
Real Madrid is now three points clear at the top of La Liga with nine points from three games, while Celta remains winless and in the relegation zone with one point.
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised Bellingham’s performance and said he was a worthy replacement for Benzema, who is expected to leave for Saudi Arabia at the end of the season.
"We believe that the arrival of Bellingham covers the absence of Benzema. He is a young player with a lot of quality and potential. He has adapted very well to the team and he showed it today with a great goal and an assist," Ancelotti said.
Celta Vigo coach Eduardo Coudet lamented his team’s mistakes and said they deserved more from the game.
"We played well in the first half and we had chances to score more goals, but we made some errors that cost us dearly. We were unlucky with the red card and then we couldn’t react. I think we deserved more, but we have to improve and learn from this game," Coudet said.
