Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin: Player ratings as Jude Bellingham strikes late in Champions League

Real Madrid secured a narrow late victory over Union Berlin in their Champions League opener in Group C, edging out the German side with a 1-0 win at the Bernabeu.

A flat opening 45 was well managed by Union Berlin, with the Germans comfortably restricting Madrid to half-chances. In fact, the only shot on target the home side could muster was a tame Joselu header straight into the hands of the goalkeeper as the Berlin continued to frustrate their hosts.

Madrid were much improved in the second half and created plenty of opportunities, but were often left frustrated by Frederik Ronnow and a stubborn Union Berlin defence. However, it was a 94th minute Jude Bellingham tap-in that secured a stoppage-time victory for the Spanish side to put three points on the board in their first European game of the season.

The general consensus prior to kick-off at the Bernabeu was that Champions League debutants Union Berlin were travelling to the Spain to sit back and defend, and that was largely the case.

Forward duo Sheraldo Becker and Kevin Behrens did combine well within the opening moments before the latter saw his shot blocked well by Antonio Rudiger. It was an early warning sign for Madrid who themselves posed plenty of attacking threat, with Joselu unable to do better with two close-range headers in the first five minutes.

If there were any nerves among the Union Berlin side, you wouldn't have known based on their measured performance in the first half. While Madrid continued to dominate possession and territory, Urs Fischer's side limited them to shots from distance, while looking lively, even if fairly blunt in the end, on the counter-attack.

Despite the best creative efforts of Jude Bellingham, Madrid were unable to cause Union