As a symbol, it was on a cross from Lucas Vasquez, author of the 2-2 goal and at the origin of Vinicius' equalizing penalty in the first period, that Bellingham struck again, precipitating Barça, reigning champions, towards a white season.
Like its new European disillusionment against PSG on Tuesday (4-1), the Catalan club had the best start, before collapsing again.
“This is how Madrid win”
On a corner, the Ukrainian goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, hero of Madrid's qualification in the semi-final of the C1 on penalties on Wednesday against Manchester City, missed his exit, offering the Dane Andreas Christensen the opportunity to open the scoring the lead (6th, 1-0) and shower the Bernabéu.
Even though it was poorly started and blunted after more than 120 minutes of effort which prevented Carvajal and Mendy, its two starting full-backs, from holding their place for this shock at the top of La Liga, Real responded – as always – with calm and the confidence of a (future) champion.
Spanish winger Lucas Vasquez, who was once again helping out in defense, revived his team by causing a contentious penalty, with experience, letting his leg drag on a tackle from young Pau Cubarsi. Vinicius transformed without trembling to equalize (18th, 1-1).
Dominated in the game, the Merengue club almost plunged again ten minutes later on a new corner, deflected this time at the near post by Lamine Yamal and saved on his line by Lunin, without the slow motion and the VAR being able to confirm that the ball was completely back (28th).
La Liga is in fact the only major championship not to use goal-line technology, considered too expensive by its president Javier Tebas, which nevertheless allows the almost automatic validation of a goal.
It didn't take much for the Catalan supporters present in the stadium to cry foul and chant “this is how Madrid wins”, insinuating that its rival is advantaged by the arbitration.
A refrain sung a second time by the “Culers” after a foul near the surface by Camavinga, in difficulty against the twirling Lamine Yamal, which earned him a yellow card.
Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong, injured in an ankle at the very end of the first half, left on a stretcher with his head in his hands, giving way to Pedri (45th+6).
Barça subsequently believed they had done the hard part after Fermin Lopez, who came on at half-time, gave Barça the advantage by following a cross from Lamine Yamal, still omnipresent, poorly repelled by Lunin (69th, 2-1).
But Madrid never dies. And neither is the stainless Lucas Vasquez, 32 years old.
The false full-back equalized at 2-2 behind Joao Cancelo, too lax in marking, on an overflow from Vinicius, crowning an exceptional week where he had already succeeded in his shot on goal against City, for his 9th season at the club ( 73rd).
Then the providential man of Real, Jude Bellingham, capsized the Bernabéu again in the 91st minute, being decisive when necessary after more than two months without scoring.
“This is how Madrid wins” responded the supporters of the White House.
