BELLINGHAM LEADS REAL MADRID PAST NAPOLI 3-2.

In the first half of Tuesday’s 3-2 Champions League victory over Serie A champion Napoli, Jude Bellingham’s efforts led to two goals in a span of eight minutes.

At the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, Madrid’s new star first intercepted a pass from Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo and then set up Vinicius Junior for an equalizer.

Then, from close to midfield, the England international sailed through Napoli’s defense before burying a goal that was evocative of how Maradona, another attacking midfielder, used to play in the venue that bears his name.

“The fact that he’s only 20 years old surprises me. When facing one of his former clubs, Carlo Ancelotti, the coach of Real Madrid, remarked of the player, “He has extraordinary qualities and he’s showing how much talent he has.”

Bellingham has scored two goals in two Champions League games after moving to Madrid from Borussia Dortmund for 100 million euros ($105 million), in addition to six goals in seven games in the Spanish league.

Bellingham also scored in Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Union Berlin in his Champions League debut for the Spanish club.

Federico Valverde’s powerful shot, which rebounded off Di Lorenzo before striking the crossbar, was charged by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret as an own goal. The final touch fell to a jumping Meret, who was unable to stop it from entering his net.

Leo Ostigard scored a header for Napoli early on by rising over Dani Carvajal.

Piotr Zielinski, a midfielder for Napoli, converted a contentious penalty to tie the score at 2-2 after the break.

Nacho’s sliding tackle on Victor Osimhen prompted a thorough VAR review since it appeared that the ball struck the defender’s arm before his shin.

Goalkeeper Zielinski’s penalty kick slammed into the left post.

With six points, Madrid, the record 14-time victor, leads Group C, followed by Napoli, Braga, and Union Berlin, who each have three points.

Earlier, Braga defeated Berlin 3-2.