We hope you have enjoyed our coverage of a dramatic win for Madrid. Until next time, it's goodbye from us!
It's another big one for Madrid next time out, as they look to preserve their perfect LaLiga record at Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Union, meanwhile, host Hoffenheim in the Bundesliga on Saturday. When the Champions League returns for matchday two, Union host Braga and Madrid go to Napoli!
It's full-time at the Bernabeu, and it's heartbreak for Union Berlin as Jude Bellingham's stoppage-time goal gives Real Madrid a 1-0 win! The visitors held firm for 94 minutes on their Champions League debut, with Rodrygo and Joselu striking both posts as Madrid threatened to fire a blank. However, Los Blancos got a hugely fortunate goal at the last as Valverde's deflected shot dropped kindly for Bellingham to tap home. Ancelotti will be breathing a huge sigh of relief!
90' + 5' FULL-TIME: REAL MADRID 1-0 UNION BERLIN.
J. Bellingham
Goal
90' + 4' GOOOOOOAAAAAAAALLLLL! BELLINGHAM WINS IT FOR MADRID AT THE DEATH! The corner is worked short to Valverde, whose shot takes two deflections to deceive Ronnow. Having committed to the dive, the Union goalkeeper is grounded as Bellingham turns the ball into a completely empty net. It's so harsh on Union, but it's a massive goal for Bellingham and Madrid. 1-0!
90' + 3' Valverde beats two with a drop of the shoulder, but Kral is there to block his shot from the edge of the area. Kroos then hangs up a cross, and Jaeckel heads behind. Madrid have a corner...
90' + 2' Juranovic sticks to his task to block Fran Garcia's cross, not only avoiding the concession of a corner, but winning a throw for Union.
90' + 1' Kroos looks for Diaz over the top, but the former Milan loanee is flagged offside. It's been such a frustrating outing for Madrid.
90' We will have FIVE minutes of added time! Can Union cling on to earn a famous result?
89' We're about to find out how many more minutes Union need to endure. They have a goal-kick and Ronnow can eat up some valuable seconds.
89' Kral is there with a massive interception to prevent Vazquez's cutback from reaching Kroos. Leite then draws a foul from Vazquez to ease the pressure on the visiting backline.
88' Union have a rare chance to attack as Bellingham concedes a wide free-kick. Juranovic delivers it, but it's cleared by the first defender and Madrid are back in possession.
86' Save! Diaz squeezes a cross between two defenders, but Rodrygo has little time to adjust his feet inside the area and he can only prod the ball into Ronnow's gloves. Union are inching towards a huge point.
85' It's all hands on deck for Union as Madrid fly forward. Bellingham feeds Vazquez, who crosses into a crowded area, but Ronnow gets there with a big punch. To the home fans' annoyance, the goalkeeper wins a free-kick in the process, perhaps fortunately.
A. Kemlein
L. Tousart
83' Fischer makes another change as Kemlein takes Tousart's place in midfield.
82' MASSIVE CHANCE! How has Joselu not scored in this game? Rodrygo's deep cross is volleyed goalwards by the striker, but it drifts narrowly wide of the bottom-right corner with Ronnow beaten. It just hasn't been Joselu's day.
Brahim Díaz
L. Modrić
81' Madrid respond with a change of their own as Diaz comes on for Modric.
D. Fofana
S. Becker
80' Fofana is also on up front, replacing Becker.
P. Jaeckel
L. Bonucci
80' Union make two changes as we enter the final 10 minutes. Jaeckel replaces Bonucci, who has been brilliant on his Union debut but is likely not fit enough to last the 90.
80' IT JUST WON'T GO IN! Madrid deliver yet another corner from the right, with Joselu attacking it. His header is travelling towards the bottom-right corner, but his team-mate Vazquez gets in the way and Union clear. Rudiger then hammers a volley over the bar, but he is penalised for a high boot anyway.
78' PENALTY APPEAL! Joselu shoots low into Doekhi from Vazquez's cutback before appealing for handball. However, replays show it clearly hit the defender's torso – Madrid are never getting a penalty for that!
77' Alaba comes across to the right to make a crucial challenge on Volland, who was looking to latch onto Aaronson's pass in behind.
76' Ronnow comes for the resulting corner but gets nowhere near it. Fortunately for Union, Rudiger's header floats harmlessly over the bar.
74' Brilliant defending! Kroos steals possession from Kral – who is aggrieved not to win a foul – before charging upfield. He finds Rodrygo to the right, but the Brazilian's driven cross is turned behind by Bonucci in the goalmouth!
Fran García
Nacho
73' Fran Garcia replaces Nacho for Madrid. He goes over to left-back, with Alaba moving inside.
72' Madrid win another corner – their 12th of the match – on the left. Modric lifts it in, but once again, that Union backline stands firm.
71' Nothing comes of the corner, but Madrid keep the pressure on. Rodrygo attacks a deep cross from the right, but he doesn't anticipate Bonucci missing his header and gets his feet in a tangle! Union are able to clear – is it just one of those days for Madrid?
69' Save! Modric goes for goal from distance, but Ronnow watches it all the way before tipping it over the crossbar. It's another Madrid corner...
68' Good opening on the break! Becker shows his pace down the right as Union briefly create a three-versus-two scenario. He tries to hang it up for Kral, but his cross is just overhit. Union should have done better.
67' Union have only lost one of their last eight matches in European competitions (W5 D2), although that defeat did come in their most recent fixture before this one – a 3-0 away defeat to Union Saint-Gilloise in last season's UEFA Europa League last 16.
B. Aaronson
A. Laïdouni
66' Leeds United loanee Aaronson is also on, with Laidouni withdrawn.
K. Volland
K. Behrens
66' Fischer will also make a double substitution. Behrens has got through plenty of work, but his game is over as Volland comes on.
T. Kroos
E. Camavinga
66' Kroos is also on for Camavinga as Madrid refresh their midfield.
F. Valverde
A. Tchouaméni
66' Ancelotti has seen enough and opts to turn to his bench. Valverde replaces Tchouameni in a forward-thinking change.
65' So close! Bellingham tries a clever dummy from Tchouameni's pass, with Rodrygo making the run in behind, but it's just cut out. That was almost a great piece of play.
63' MADRID HIT THE POST AGAIN! Joselu has provided an aerial threat all game, and he was so close to netting the opener there! Rodrygo pulls wide to cross for his strike partner, who sees his downward header turned onto the left post by Ronnow!
61' Modric looks for Alaba with the outside of his right boot and Juranovic misses his defensive header, but the pass is slightly overhit and Alaba can't get there. It was a nice idea, though.
60' Becker charges downfield with no support before throwing himself down under pressure from Rudiger near the corner flag. He thinks he's won a free-kick, but the referee gives it the other way, since Becker lay on the ball.
58' Only three of the 14 previous German teams to play in the Champions League have won their first game in the competition (D4 L7), with Bayer Leverkusen (1997-98), Kaiserslautern (1998-99) and Wolfsburg (2009-10) doing so. Union look content to hold what they have at present, but could they go on to snatch a winner?
56' Union are living dangerously at the start of this second period. They need to offer more of a threat at the other end, or this Madrid pressure will surely tell...
55' BIG SAVE! Camavinga gets down the left to find Joselu with a cutback, and the striker loops a left-footed effort towards goal. Ronnow can only parry it, and Bonucci intelligently heads it up and over his own crossbar to prevent a white shirt following it in.
53' Madrid are upping the ante now! Modric's lovely pass finds Rodrygo, who sees a cross deflect away for a corner. It's worked out to Modric on the edge of the D, but Behrens is back to block his low shot – the Union forward has done plenty of defensive work!
52' GREAT SAVE, THEN OFF THE POST! Rodrygo gets away down the right-hand channel, but his powerful volley is well saved by Ronnow, who stood firm at his near post. Madrid keep the pressure on as Vazquez crosses for Rodrygo, but the Brazilian's acrobatic volley crashes off the upright and away!
50' Now Bellingham just misses a cross from the right at the other end. You can feel the intensity of this game starting to pick up slightly.
49' WIDE! Union threaten as Gosens' mishit cross is kept alive by Behrens. He holds off Rudiger before offloading back to Gosens, but the Germany international only finds the side netting with his low strike.
48' Doekhi – who is wearing a protective mask after suffering a facial injury – is fouled by Camavinga as Union get a free-kick. They're enjoying a better spell in possession to start this second half.
47' Madrid have won on 12 of the 13 occasions when their opening game of a Champions League campaign has been played at home, although that defeat came in the most recent instance – a 3-2 loss against Shakhtar Donetsk in 2020-21. Can they strengthen that record, or will Union stand firm?
46' We're back under way for the second half, with Union getting the ball rolling. No changes for either team, so Kral has clearly gotten over that knock he took just before the interval.
Madrid have had 73.2% of the possession so far, completing 363 passes to Union's 103 and managing 41 final-third entries to the visitors' 18. They've not created enough clear-cut openings, however, and Ancelotti is sure to demand more of Los Blancos after the interval. We'll be back shortly!
We've had a largely uneventful first half between Real Madrid and Union Berlin at the Bernabeu, but the visitors won't mind one bit! It's goalless at the break, with Madrid unable to turn their possession into clear-cut chances. Union did threaten in the early stages with Behrens seeing two openings, but the majority of the game has been played in their half. Joselu's sixth-minute header – which went wide – remains the best chance Madrid have created, though. Can Union continue to frustrate them?
45' + 2' HALF-TIME: REAL MADRID 0-0 UNION BERLIN.
45' Vazquez sees a cross hammered behind by Leite. Modric's latest corner is headed comfortably wide by Alaba at the near post, as we enter a minimum of two minutes of stoppage time.
44' Kral will soldier on, at least until half-time. He's back on after receiving treatment as Rodrygo is flagged offside in the right channel.
43' This is a concern for Fischer. Kral is down and looks to be in some discomfort after being on the receiving end of that forceful Tchouameni challenge a few minutes ago.
41' Union are close to reaching the break at 0-0, but it's been some time since they threatened on the break. Madrid have pushed the visitors further and further back without carving them open.
40' Yet another Madrid corner is delivered by Modric and headed out by Behrens. It comes back to Modric and the hosts work it to Bellingham, but his shot is blocked at close quarters. Tchouameni decides to try his luck on the follow-up, but he blasts it well over the bar!
39' Madrid have recorded 10 shots in this game, but those attempts have been worth just 0.75 xG in total and only one – Joselu's early header – has hit the target. Patience is required for the 14-time European champions in this match.
A. Tchouaméni
Yellow Card
37' Tchouameni flies into a challenge on Kral and receives a yellow card. The ball was there to be won and there was no malice, but he definitely caught the Union man.
36' Modric finds a trademark pass to split the Union backline open, but Alaba's cutback is cleared behind for another Madrid corner. Nothing comes of the kick as the visitors clear their lines again.
34' Unlucky! Modric finds space in the area for a cutback, and Bellingham is poised to strike from 12 yards out. However, the England star loses his footing at the worst possible time, and Union clear their lines. That was a real opening for the hosts!
33' Madrid have only failed to score in one of their last 68 home games in the Champions League, doing so in a 3-0 loss to CSKA Moscow in December 2018. Union have done well to keep them at arm's length so far.
32' Things have gone a little flat here after a high-octane opening 10 minutes. Union are well-organised, stubborn opponents, and Madrid are struggling to find a way through.
30' Rodrygo cuts back from the byline before finding Alaba behind him with a cute backheel, and the left-back crosses off Doekhi to win a corner. Modric delivers it, but Behrens is back to clear.
29' Juranovic fails to keep Leite's sliced clearance in play to gift Madrid a corner. The hosts work an angle from which to cross, but Bonucci stoops to head the delivery away.
28' Alaba drives a cross in from the left, but Bonucci is there to clear. It's obvious the Italian will relish playing in this Union backline. They defend their penalty area with such desire.
26' Union come again and Laidouni tries to meet a right-wing cross with a spectacular overhead kick... but he misses the ball! Gosens then crosses from the left, but Kepa can claim it unopposed.
25' Rudiger takes an awkward touch which almost puts Kepa in trouble, but the goalkeeper rises above Behrens – which is no mean feat – to clear with a solid punch.
24' Over! Modric gets down the right-hand channel to win a corner, which the Croatian swings towards the penalty spot. Joselu meets it, but he can't keep his header down!
23' Alaba steps up to take the set-piece and goes for goal... but his effort is always rising and Ronnow is untroubled.
22' Kral is penalised for a late challenge on Bellingham, giving Madrid a free-kick in a central area, around 30 yards from goal. The midfielder was late with that one.
21' Nacho has started at centre-back for Madrid, with Alaba on the left of the back four and looking to provide width. Behrens tries to kick-start a Union break, but Rudiger steps in to win it back.
20' Scudetto holders Napoli and Primeira Liga outfit Braga are the other two sides in this group. It's early days, of course, but if Union could get a result here, they might fancy their chances of pushing for qualification.
18' Camavinga and Joselu link up nicely before a rare loose touch from Bellingham sees the move break down. Madrid are going to have to be intricate to break through the wall of black Union shirts.
17' The kick is cleared away as far as Kral, and Union go long towards Behrens second time round, but he's just unable to beat Nacho and Kepa can collect the loose ball.
16' Union have their first corner as Gosens crosses behind off Modric. What can they do with this chance?
14' Madrid are knocking the ball around patiently in midfield now, but it's all in front of Union. The visitors will be content with the start they've made – they have not looked overawed!
13' Rodrygo scampers to the byline inside a crowded Union box before attempting a cutback towards Modric, but a black shirt gets there first to clear. Becker is then unable to hold it up as Madrid quickly regain possession.
12' In Champions League history, Real Madrid have played the most games (304), enjoyed the most wins (182), scored the most goals (641) and have the highest win rate (60%). Union are playing their first-ever game in this competition, and it really is a case of David versus Goliath!
10' Over! Union are asking questions of Madrid on the break! Juranovic stands up a cross for the big man Behrens, who is just unable to get over his header as he sends it over the crossbar. That was a decent opening!
8' The corner is flicked on by Bellingham then put behind for another. Second time round, Vazquez's delivery is punched clear by Ronnow, who then claims a third cross into the area comfortably. Good goalkeeping!
7' Now Gosens breaks into the box for Union, but his cross is just cut out by Nacho. Rodrygo quickly breaks up the other end to win a corner. We've had a great start to this match!
6' WIDE! Madrid probe as Union sit back in a 5-3-2 shape. Vazquez is fed by Camavinga and has space to cross, and his delivery is headed just wide by Joselu at the far post! Union have a lucky escape!
4' Save! Now Madrid attack as Bellingham finds Joselu with a lovely deep cross. The striker makes a firm connection with his header, but it's straight at Ronnow.
3' Unlucky! Union come forward for the first time, with Doekhi's pass down the line releasing Becker. He cuts it back for Behrens near the penalty spot, but he's just put off by Nacho and his weak effort bobbles through to Kepa.
L. Tousart
Yellow Card
1' Tousart tangles with Modric, appearing to pull the Croatian back and catching him in the face in the process. He's booked after just 40 seconds.
1' The famous Champions League anthem has been played under the new Bernabeu roof for the first time, and we're ready for kick-off! Madrid get the ball rolling.
Union Berlin are set to become Madrid's 150th different opponent in European competition. What an occasion this is for the German side. Can they mark it with a result? The teams are out, and we're about to find out!
Union were beaten 2-1 at Wolfsburg on Saturday, their second Bundesliga defeat in a row. Fischer also makes four alterations to his team, and the headline inclusion is Bonucci, the Juventus legend who makes his first start for the club. Also brought in are Juranovic, Tousart and Becker, with club captain Trimmel and Chelsea loanee Fofana on the bench, while Haberer serves a suspension.
Ancelotti makes four changes to the Madrid side which overcame Real Sociedad on Sunday. Dani Carvajal has joined Vinicius Junior and Thibaut Courtois on the injury list so he drops out entirely. Kroos, Valverde and Garcia are named among the substitutes as Modric, Camavinga and Nacho are brought in. Bellingham takes his usual number 10 role behind Joselu and Rodrygo.
UNION BERLIN SUBS: Alexander Schwolow, Yannic Stein, Paul Jaeckel, Brenden Aaronson, Kevin Volland, David Datro Fofana, Jerome Roussillon, Christopher Trimmel, Aljoshca Kemlein.
UNION BERLIN (3-5-2): Frederik Ronnow; Leonardo Bonucci, Danilho Doekhi, Diogo Leite; Josip Juranovic, Lucas Tousart, Alex Kral, Aissa Laidouni, Robin Gosens; Sheraldo Becker, Kevin Behrens.
REAL MADRID SUBS: Andriy Lunin, Lucas Canizares, Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Fran Garcia, Brahim Diaz, Ferland Mendy, Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Tobias.
REAL MADRID (4-3-1-2): Kepa Arrizabalaga; Lucas Vazquez, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, Nacho; Luka Modric, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga; Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo, Joselu.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, are targeting an unprecedented 15th European crown, and after making a perfect start to the season in LaLiga, Los Blancos are fancied by many to be there or thereabouts. Carlo Ancelotti's men may have lost Karim Benzema in the off-season, but the Santiago Bernabeu has a new hero – Jude Bellingham. The Englishman has five goals in five league games since swapping Borussia Dortmund for Madrid, and if they are to regain the Champions League trophy, he will play a key role.
Could this be the biggest fairytale matchup in Champions League history? Union Berlin were playing in the third tier of German football as recently as 2009, and the second tier as recently as 2019. After enjoying a miraculous rise under Urs Fischer, culminating in last season's fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga, they will play under the bright lights of the Santiago Bernabeu! With the likes of Robin Gosens, Leonardo Bonucci and Kevin Volland on board, they aren't here to make up the numbers!
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the UEFA Champions League. What a fixture we have for you here as Real Madrid face Union Berlin in Group C!
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