Bellingham records two assists and four key passes

Kylian Mbappe took home the match ball after scoring a hat-trick, but Jude Bellingham received the highest performance rating. In 78 minutes, the England international provided two assists, created two big chances and made four key passes. He finished with a 9.2 rating.

Bellingham started behind Mbappe, between Arda Guler and Vinicius Junior. He did not operate as a fixed number ten. He dropped deeper to receive possession, carried the ball towards Real Sociedad’s penalty area and pressed whenever Madrid lost it.

Both assists came after half-time. For the second goal, Bellingham exchanged passes with Mbappe and returned the ball through the defence. The Frenchman finished from close range to restore Madrid’s lead.

Bellingham created the third goal himself. He pressed high, recovered possession and moved into the penalty area before supplying Vinicius. Reuters also identified the midfielder’s pressing as the action that produced the goal.

Bellingham’s match statistics

• 78 minutes played
• 9.2 rating
• Two assists
• Two big chances created
• Four key passes
• 0.58 expected assists
• 95% passing accuracy
• Four of five passes into the penalty area completed
• 12 of 13 passes completed in the attacking third
• One through ball
• Two of two long passes completed
• Three successful dribbles from five attempts
• Six progressive carries
• Two of three progressive passes completed
• 60 touches
• Nine of 14 ground duels won
• Four fouls won
• Four recoveries
• One successful tackle from two attempts
• One shot, which was blocked
• 0.15 expected goals

The creative numbers stand out. Four key passes and two big chances created show that Bellingham’s assists were not isolated moments. He consistently moved the ball into areas from which Madrid could threaten Alex Remiro’s goal.

His passing was also highly efficient. Bellingham completed 95% of his attempts despite spending much of the game in advanced positions. Only one of his 13 passes in the attacking third failed to reach a teammate, while four of his five deliveries into the penalty area were successful.

There was plenty of work between the headline actions. Bellingham completed three dribbles, produced six progressive carries and won nine of his 14 ground duels. He was fouled four times and recovered possession on four occasions.

According to Managing Madrid, this was the first time he had assisted both Mbappe and Vinicius in the same match. It was also his fourth game with at least two assists for Real Madrid.

Bellingham registered four league assists throughout last season. He already has half that total after one home appearance in the new campaign. Combined with his goal against Espanyol, he has started the season with three goal contributions in two matches.

Mbappe scored the hat-trick, but Bellingham’s performance went well beyond the two assists. He created chances, progressed the ball, beat opponents and recovered possession close to the Sociedad goal.

Jose Mourinho wanted Bellingham, Mbappe and Vinicius on the pitch together. The first home test ended in a 4-1 victory. Unfortunately, the instruction manual for using all three might be rather short.