Champions League

CONOR GALLAGHER had started just one game in almost two months before Wednesday’s Madrid derby.He may have, brutally, ended on the wrong side of things, as Atletico Madrid always do against Real.Conor Gallagher stole the show in a match that was expected to be all about Jude BellinghamCredit: GettyBellingham cut a frustrated figure as he was unable to take the game by the scruff of the neckCredit: ReutersBut Bellingham would end up on the winning side as Real Madrid prevailed on penaltiesCredit: GettyThomas Tuchel will name his first England squad this weekCredit: GettyBut the midfielder showed exactly why he must and will be a key part of Thomas Tuchel’s England plans ahead of his first squad announcement.Gallagher’s standout 85 minutes in the thunderous Metropolitano is worthy of praise for far more than his record breaking goal.The second leg opener, bagged after just 27 seconds, is the fastest Champions League goal ever scored by an Englishman.That was a moment to cherish, but everything which came after was equally as important.READ MORE ON JUDE BELLINGHAMAll English eyes will have been on Jude Bellingham at the start, but Gallagher grabbed the spotlight and helped Atletico’s midfield frustrate the life out of his Three Lions teammate and the rest of the Real Madrid side.While the two were on the pitch together, Gallagher was easily the more impressive.What will have been even more encouraging for Tuchel, however, was how Bellingham grew in stature as everyone else faded and was the stand-out in extra time before burying a confident penalty.Carlo Ancelotti’s men had plenty of joy down their right-hand side during the first leg, so Diego Simeone tasked Gallagher with blocking them.Most read in Champions LeagueCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsHe carried it out magnificently. With his usual feral energy Gallagher shut down Brazilian Rodrygo and made some fine challenges on Kylian Mbappe, including one which stooped a rare dangerous break.It was just his second start in the last 11 games for Atletico, but Simeone clearly trusts him with the big ones. Wednesday night showed that Tuchel can too.Jude Bellingham says ‘The Referee Made a Mistake’ giving red card Gallagher’s previous start was against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey and you would not bet against him being tasked with shutting down Lamine Yamal in La Liga this weekend.Tuchel, who has been in touch with Gallagher and spoke with his former Chelsea player ahead of the first-leg, must harness his undervalued quality.The German has options galore in the attacking areas.But finding someone to do the dirty work is equally important as to whether you can fit Bellingham, Phil Foden and Cole Palmer in the same team.Tuchel is in the England job for one reason – to win the World Cup. To do so will require shades of light and dark within his side.Gallagher showed his adaptability by moving out to the left of the pitch to deal with the threat posed by the likes of Bellingham and RodrygoWith Gallagher’s help, Atletico were very successful in playing on the counter-attackConor Gallagher was a safe pair of hands on the ballGallagher had just one touch in the opposition box but it resulted in the only goal of the gameThe prowess of Bellingham and the other star names is a must, but at holders Argentina proved you need some dogs in there too.There was just one start for England in the Euros, a nightmare against Slovenia which lasted just 45 minutes, but he looked a different player here.Gallagher is learning from the best when it comes to doing anything and everything for the team and has fully bought into Simeone’s ways.Even out on the left, not his favourite position, Gallagher gave everything and left the pitch to a standing ovation.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe would, it is true, rather have played terribly and been looking forward to a quarter-final with Arsenal.But given the cruel nature of Real Madrid’s latest Champions League victory over their rivals, the England midfielder can take nothing but immense pride from his performance.Bellingham was forced to play in areas outside the Atletico box where he couldn’t have his usual devastating impact on the gameWhile Real Madrid took up more attacking positions than their counterparts, it was Atletico who appeared to have greater control of the gameBellingham spent much of his time camped outside the Atletico box, but his opponents deprived him of the space to make use of the positions he took up More

REAL MADRID were left breathing a sigh of relief after seeing off Atletico on penalties following a 2-2 aggregate draw.Kylian Mbappe was one of the players who coolly converted his spot kick in the shootout – but he was reportedly unwilling to take one during the game.Kylian Mbappe reportedly refused to take Real Madrid’s penalty during the matchCredit: GettyVinicius Jr then stepped up and missed completelyCredit: EPABut Mbappe redeemed himself for any refusal to take a spot kick by scoring in the shootoutCredit: AlamyVinicius Jr then stepped up in Mbappe’s place after the World Cup winner was fouled by Clement Lenglet.And the Brazilian blasted the ball so far wide that it may well have missed if there were two goals.But after the match, Guillem Balague claimed that Mbappe is still the designated penalty taker.The LaLiga TV reporter said: “Real Madrid won a penalty but Kylian Mbappe was not right. He struggled with his ankle and with a toenail that is coming off.READ MORE REAL MADRID NEWS”You had the penalty missed by Vinicius Jr in normal time. Mbappe said to Vinicius, ‘I don’t feel like kicking this, I am not ready’ and walked away from it, Vini took it and it went high.”Balague also said: “There was a typical exchange of strong words in the tunnel after the match, but nothing different to what happens after every match.”However, it was not clear if he was referring to an exchange between the Real Madrid and Atletico players or among the Real Madrid squad internally.Vinicius was subbed off in extra time and therefore unable to take a penalty in the shootout – a decision that appeared to have paid dividends for Carlo Ancelotti.Most read in FootballCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsMbappe, Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde all scored with well-placed spot kicks before Lucas Vazquez saw his kick saved by Jan Oblak.But Toni Rudiger then stepped up to score the fifth penalty and win one of the most controversial shootouts in history for Real.Mum of Thibaut Courtois’ love-child reveals fear they will be made homeless over unpaid mortgage despite his huge salaryJulian Alvarez slotted Atletico Madrid’s second penalty into the roof of the net but VAR then adjudged the Argentine to have kicked the ball twice before it went in, meaning the kick had to be marked down as a miss.Marcos Llorente then blasted his penalty onto the bar which gave Rudiger the chance to win it.Ironically, the man who replaced Vinicius Jr – fellow Brazilian Endrick – was also taken off penalty duties by Carlo Ancelotti.The Italian said: “We had a doubt, who should have taken the penalty between Endrick or Rudiger. “We wanted Endrick, but then I saw his face and decided Rudiger was the better option.” More

ATLETICO MADRID star Antoine Griezmann went viral after two stunning dribbles on Real Madrid and England superstar Jude Bellingham in the Champions League.The Madrid rivals faced off on Wednesday in the second leg of their Last-16 encounter at the Metropolitano Stadium with Griezmann and Bellingham starting for each side.Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann went viral after dribbling Real Madrid superstar Jude BellinghamCredit: GettyGriezmann put together five seconds of absolute genius against BellinghamBellingham was floored twice by Griezmann in the Champions LeagueAnd the France international left fans in awe with five seconds of absolute genius against the star midfielder.First, the playmaker unloaded the ball immediately before the ex-Birmingham star came for him with a sliding challenge down the attacking third.Griezmann got the ball back on the right flank and the England international returned for more.And that was when the Atletico star appeared to have nutmegged Bellingham.Read More on FootballGriezmann left fans absolutely stunned as they stormed social media.One fan tweeted: “Griezmann just ended Bellingham’s career.”Another commented: “Griezmann just bodied Bellingham.”A third asked: “Griezmann what did you just do to Bellingham?”Most read in Champions LeagueCheltenham Festival betting offers and free betsThis fan said: “Griezmann pocketing Bellingham.”And that one stated: “What has Griezman just done to Bellingham?”Jude Bellingham says ‘The Referee Made a Mistake’ giving red card Bellingham, though, had the last laugh despite Atletico tying the aggregate with a 1-0 victory thanks to Conor Gallagher’s opener in the first few seconds after a 2-1 loss last week at Santiago Bernabeu.Real won 4-2 on penalties with the ex-Borussia Dortmund star scoring from the spot, while Griezmann came off in the dying minutes of the second half as he was replaced by Alexander Sorloth. More