Almería vs Real Madrid: Bellingham double, score, goals, highlights | LaLiga 2023-24

When do Real Madrid play next?

We'll leave it there for now but you'll be able to get more post-match reaction, and plenty of Real Madrid and LaLiga-related news in the coming hours and days across AS USA.

Real Madrid are next in action in LaLiga on Friday 25 August, when they'll face Celta Vigo, again away from home (due to ongoing renovation work at Estadio Santiago Bernabéu). 

As for Almería, their next match will see them travel to Cádizon Saturday 26 August. 

Real Madrid boss Aneclotti: "Vinícius sometimes makes me a bit angry"

Here's Carlo (part two):

Kroos and Modric: "Kroos played very well with the ball. Luka also kept the ball well, he controlled the tempo of the match. They will be just as important although they may play fewer minutes". 

Vinícius' goals target: "There isn't one. The forwards are doing well. Their mobility is good for us to when it comes to creating opportunities. Let's hope they continue in the same vein. There will be games in which we will have fewer opportunities. We're well covered on the bench with Joselu, a player who has a different profile and is a presence in the box. Vinícius sometimes makes me a bit angry because he takes too many risks, but there's a good balance because of the quality he has".

No cameras in the dressing room: "I'd take a pay cut if it meant no cameras in the dressing room".

The hot weather: "We are used to it, it's not an advantage or a disadvantage. It is the same for both teams. We were both tired. It was an intense match, back and forth. Almería played a very well".

Real Madrid boss Ancelotti: "Bellingham has adapted very well to the league and our style of play"

Here's Carlo (part one):

Bellingham settling in: "It's due to his maturity and personality. It helps that he has been in Germany. He has adapted very well to the league and our style of play. He's doing very well".

Chances conceded: "Almeria surprised with their first counterattack. Could we have defended it better? Yes, but it was a perfect counterattack and they scored. They have quality. We kept our heads and we were fluid in attack. The fact that our forwards don't play in set positions and that Vinícius, Rodrygo and Bellingham interchange makes our opponents feel uncomfortable".

Midfield rhombus: "It won't always be that way. With Lucas and Camavinga on, we set up with two lines of four and were comfortable playing in a lower block. Offensively, the rhombus doesn't allow you to control the flanks as well, but it gives you more options".

Goalkeeper: "As was the case in Bilbao, Lunin played very well. We have confidence in him, the same as with Kepa. Sooner or later, he will play and it could be the next game".

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham speaks...

Well, it's not quite what I meant, but it'll do!

"An important victory. Hala Madrid!"

Vinícius: "I hope Bellingham will be like Benzema"

We have to continue in this vein, me and everyone else. The goal was a bit lucky, but I'm very happy to get my first of the season. I hope I'll have the same kind of connection with Bellingham that I had with Karim (Benzema), and that we get a lot of goals and assists.

Real Madrid go top of LaLiga!

Real Madrid, by contrast, have gone top of the league after just two games. They leapfrog Valencia, who have also won twice on goal difference, and are five points clear of Barcelona (I know, I know, they're only played once...)!

Atlético Madrid, Rayo Vallecano, Real Bets and Cádiz can all post their second victories in the next couple of days. 

Almería bottom of LaLiga

Two home games, two home defeats. The LaLiga table doesn't make for great reading for Almería. As it stands, they're the only team to have lost two games. Sevilla, Alavés and Granada could yet join them, though. 

It's early days, don't stress, Almería fans. 

Real Madrid reaction coming up

I'll get some post-match reaction from Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti for you as soon as I can, as well as anyone else that says anything interesting! 

Any chance of Jude speaking to the media after this one?

Vinícius continues to make his mark

In his first three years with Real Madrid, Vinícius scored 14 goals. In his next two, he has netted 46, including one tonight. 

60 goals in 227 games overall. 

Real Madrid star Bellingham equals van Nistelrooy and Sneijder

Three goals in his first two Real Madrid games for Jude Bellingham. Only Ruud van Nistelrooy and Wesley Sneijder have achieved that feat in a white jersey this century.

Full time: Almería 1-3 Real Madrid

A much more comfortable win for Madrid than we expected at one stage!

Mini-match report on its way. 

More like it from Modric as he winds up an outside of the foot cross towards Joselu, who totally misses it at the back post. 

Brahim has looked in the mood since coming on. A nutmeg in midfield to add to the highlights from his short cameo. 

Modric into the stratosphere

It's not often you see Modric get something horribly wrong, but that's exactly what happened there as his shot from Brahim's layoff heads towards the stars. 

Pozo gets away from García on the left and crosses but Suárez's header is blocked before anything more serious comes of it. 

Almería leaving themselves open at the back and García is next to exploit it, lashing just wide of the post after a run from left-back. 

A superb run down the right from Brahim sees him skip past two Almería players as if they're not there but he tries to find Joselu rather than shoot and the two aren't on the same wavelength. 

Final Almería changes

Lázaro and Puigmal on, Arribas and Baba off. 

Don't go anywhere. Nine minutes of added time. 

Brahim Díaz and Lucas Vázquez replace Vinícius and Valverde. 

Superb save from Maxmiano!

Vintage Modric as he plays a sweeping ball out to Carvajal, whose first-time volley looks goalbound until Maximiano saves...with his face!

Akieme whips a dangerous cross into the Madrid box but it has too much pace on it for Embarba at the back post. 

Koné tests Lunin!

Lunin has had little to do in the last half-an-hour or so, but he had to get down to keep out Koné near-post effort there. A relatively straightforward save though. 

Carvajal hangs an inviting cross up from the right but it's just too far ahead of Vinícius, who can't quite reach it. 

Almería are huffing and puffing in search for a way back into this but it's really not looking likely. They've hardly threatened since Madrid went ahead. 

Two-goal Bellingham replaced by Real Madrid

Play is back underway, but not for long for Bellingham. Joselu is his replacement. 

We must've had an unofficial water break earlier, because we're now having an official one. I don't think anything Almería drink is going to make a difference now, though. 

Vinícius shoots just over!

Moments after Almería make the mess of a promising attack, Madrid sprint up the other and Vinícius blasts over from the edge of the area!

Actually, there was a little deflection on it, but it's a great goal regardless. Bellingham lays the ball off the Vinícius, who takes one touch and caresses the ball into the top corner!

Modric and Camavinga on for Real Madrid

Modric and Camavinga, whose leg is strapped up, are on for the visitors. Rodrygo and Kroos replaced. 

Suárez heads wide!

Almería's first effort for a while. Embarba gets round the outside of García and crosses for Suárez, whose powerful header flies past the near post!

Robertone off

I can't quite make sense of this, but what do I know?

Robertone, who has also caused Madrid problems, is next to go off for Almería, along with Pubill, who has picked up a knock. Pozo and Melero come on. 

Rodrygo close to a third!

Carvajal slides Rodrygo in and the Brazilian shoots from a tight angle but just misses the far post. 

Bellingham has his eyes on a hat-trick! He drives forward and shoots left-footed but it's easily claimed by Maximiano. 

Another water break. Someone check what's in those Almería bottles. 

Lovely play between Embarba and Pubill gets the latter into a good crossing position but his wild delivery goes out of play. That was a promising attack. 

Almería dangerman Ramzani goes off

Ramazani has surprisingly gone off, he's been one of Almería's main threats. Koné comes on. 

We've not seen much of Bellingham, but he's got two goals to his name. Pinpoint from Kroos!

End-to-end stuff as Vinícius races away down the left but can't quite find Rodrygo with his cross, before Rüdiger has to get moving to stop Suárez from going clean through in behind the Real Madrid defence. 

Ramazani a constant threat

Ramazani and Robertone are relentless. If it's not one, it's the other. Embarba does really well down the right and crosses for Ramazani, whose spectacular overhead kick is straight at Lunin,. 

Vinícius goes down in the box under pressure from Pubill...let's just say he must've lost his footing. 

From the corner, Robertone tries another shot from long range but is well off target. 

Some early promise again from Almería, with Robertone playing a neat ball in behind Carvajal for Ramazani. The defender does enough to get back and clear for a corner. 

Vinícius clatters into Pubill and for a second there it looked as if both physio were going to have to come on. The brave boys are going to try to play on without the magic sponge. 

A lovely bit of link-up play between García and Rodrygo leads to a shooting opportunity for Valverde, who chokes his effort well wide. If García had a right foot, he would've shot himself there.

Rodrygo threatened to make in-roads towards the Almería goal from inside his own half but Baba did brilliantly to pick his pocket and snuff out the danger. 

Back underway in Almería!

Real Madrid get the second half underway!

Vinícius: talisman or invisible man?

Vinícius has been tipped to be Real Madrid's talisman this season following the departure of Karim Benzema. But he's been more of an invisible man so far, bar one or two flashes. 

Almería keep Real Madrid goalkeeper Lunin busy

The same number of shots from both sides but I'd argue Almería's have been considerably more dangerous. Andriy Lunin has made a couple of really good stops, while Luis Maximiano hasn't had to anything out of the ordinary...yet. 

Half-time: Almería 1-1 Real Madrid

Well, there were certainly plenty of twists and turns in that first half!

Almería took the lead in the first counterattack through Arribas’ downward header, catching Real Madrid completely off guard. Ancelotti’s side responded well, however, and started to pin their opponents back, the inevitable equaliser coming when Bellingham slotted into the corner from close range. It looked as if the visitors would go on to take control from there and, initially, they did, without being able to find a second goal.

The water break on the half-hour mark, however, totally changed the complexion of the game. What were Almería drinking?

After a short pause in play, they roared back into the game as an attacking force and gave Lunin lots of work to do, which he did well on the whole. Robertone and Ramazani had multiple efforts which threatened the Madrid goal, although Los Merengues very nearly snatched an undeserved lead in injury time, Kroos’ superb strike ruled out for a foul in the build-up.

That was one of the faster uses of VAR I've seen. 

Goal disallowed!

Kroos smashed Carvajal's cut-back into the net expertly but the defender had trod on Akieme's foot in the build-up. No goal. 

Oh, wait a sec...

Ramazani...just wide!

Just seconds later, Ramazani has another shooting chance from a more central position and fires just past the post!

Close for Almería!

Ramazani's low cross-cum-shot sneaks all the way through the Madrid box and Lunin has to intervene yet again. 

Five minutes of injury time. 

Maximiano saves from Rodrygo!

We haven't seen much from Fran García in attack but he finds Rodrygo with a low cross and the Brazilian's first time shot on the spin is beaten away by Maximiano. 

Double effort from Robertone!

Almería go close again! Robertonedraws another good save from Lunin from outside the box, then volleys a yard or so over as the ball comes back to him!

Another dangerous moment for the hosts, who work the ball forward to Suárez, who's desperate to find space for a shot from the angle of the box but can't quite do so. 

Big chance for Ramazani!

From that corner, Ramazani is all alone in the box but heads fairly tamely at Lunin, who collects without fuss this time. Big chance!

Not nearly as impressive from Lunin this time...

Robertone shoots from all of 35 yards and the Ukrainian blocks it but it spins all the way out for a corner. Not sure that's what he was trying to do there...

Lunin saves from Baba!

The break came at a good time for Almería! Baba strikes one from long range and forced Lunin to make a good stop.

From the restart, we see where Almería could get a bit of joy. Pubill isn't tracked by Vinícius and has the chance to cross into the box, which he does. He can't find a teammate though. 

A water break in Almería. Apparently it's quite toasty in the south of Spain in August. 

Bizarre scenes as Kroos is flagged for offside from a clearance from an Almería player. Someone better explain the rules to the ref quickly!

Tchouaméni tries his luck from downtown but his shot is blocked...that must've stung. 

So close for Rodrygo!

Valverde feeds a pass through what seemed to be a non-existent space and Rodrygo shoots from an impossible angle...inches wide!

A couple of dangerous crosses at either end. First, Carvajal's low ball evades everyone and runs out of play, before Embarba's delivery just evades Suárez and is caught by Lunin. 

Almería are looking to play out from the back, as so many teams do nowadays. They've managed to get away with it so far but there have been one or two heart-stopping moments (if you're an Almería fan, I'm guessing). 

Alaba scored a free-kick here last season and tries his luck with another one, only for it to hit the wall. Madrid quickly get another chance though and Valverde does get a shot on target, but Maximiano claims. 

I stand corrected, have seen another angle and Akieme plays Bellingham onside. 

Goal given! Madrid patiently work the ball across to Carvajal, whose chipped crossed is headed goalwards by Valverde. It hits a defender and falls to Bellingham, who prods into the corner from close range. 

That looked marginally offside to me...

Almería are appealing for both handball and offside...

Chumi chips away at the heels of Vinícius and gets a death stare from the referee but, surprisingly, not a yellow card. 

Almería might have to do a lot more of that! Carvajal gets in down the right and his cut-back eventually makes its way to Valverde, who smashes one goalwards, only to see it charged down by a defender. 

Vinícius and Rodrygo attempt to link up inside the Almería box but the latter's attempted flick into his teammate's path doesn't come off. There was room for them to work in there, though. 

Almería's first attack since the goal. Embarba tries to get Pubill away down the right and has the chance to do so but overhits his pass and a decent crossing chance is gone. 

Almería have settled into quite a deep defensive line, which seems like a dangerous strategy to me. Bellingham manages to find space in the box regardless but heads Tchouaméni's cross straight at Maximiano. 

Another effort on goal from the visitors as Vinícius lines one up from distance. The less said about the outcome, the better. 

Rüdiger tests Maximiano

The first sign of a Real Madrid response sees Rüdiger get his head to a corner but his goalbound effort is easily saved by Maximiano. 

What a start! Maximiano claimed the free-kick somewhat shakily but quickly released Ramazani, who in turn played the ball down the wing for Robertone. His back-post cross caught García out and Arribas headed low past Lunin! Amazing stuff!

The Almería defender claims he didn't touch the Brazilian. Yeh, right...

A first glimpse of danger from Vinícius, who skips away from Edgar and wins a free-kick just outside the box. 

Underway in Almería!

Almería get us going and kick the ball straight out of play. 

Almería anthem rings round Power Horse Stadium

Spanish fans have a tendency to sing their club's anthem with proper gusto, and that's no different here in Almería 

Who've you got for this one?

Real Madrid team to play Almería

No Camavinga or Modric for Real Madrid, with both on the bench. Lunin starts again in goal ahead of new boy Kepa. 

Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger Alaba, García; Valverde, Kroos, Tchouaméni; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius. 

Almería team to face Real Madrid

Almost time to go in Almería! Here's a little reminder of how the hosts will line up:

Maximiano; Pubill; Chumi, Edgar, Akieme; Baba, Robertone; Ramazani, Arribas, Embarba; Suárez.

Almería vs Real Madrid in 2022-23

Almería vs Real Madrid took place on the opening weekend of the season in 2022-23, with the visitors coming out on top...but only just. Largie Ramazani gave the hosts a shock early lead and it took Los Blancos until the final 30 minutes to turn things around thanks to a strike from Lucas Vázquez and David Alaba's free-kick. 

In the return match in Madrid in April, a Karim Benzema (remember him?) hat-trick put Carlo Ancelotti's team in control and although Almería pulled a couple of goals back, Rodrygo put Los Merengues out of sight. 4-2.

Real Madrid in 2022-23 LaLiga

Just in case you don't remember what happened to Real Madrid, here's a little reminder. It wasn't especially pretty, despite a strong start to the season. Things seriously tailed off either side of the World Cup break and LaLiga was pretty much over by March, when Los Blancos lost to eventual champions Barcelona at Camp Nou. Carlo Ancelotti's side worryingly lost seven times away from home, which resulted in them finishing 10 points adrift of the Catalans. 

Almería in 2022-23 LaLiga

You'll probably be aware with how Real Madrid got on last season (not very well), but Almería probably went a bit more under the radar. They avoided relegation by the skin of their teeth and almost entirely because of their home record. Los Rojiblancos ended the campaign one point clear of the bottom three, with 33 of their 41 points coming on their own patch. You don't need to be a maths genius to work out they only picked up eight points from 19 away games, the lowest tally in the division. 

LALIGA

Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham follows in David Beckham’s footsteps on LaLiga debut

And Bellingham isn't the only Englishman to have had a flying start to his Real Madrid career. The 20-year-old will probably hope the rest of his time in the Spanish capital is more successful than David Beckham's was, though. For all the talent Los Blancos had at the time, they didn't win an awful lot. 

LALIGA

Athletic Club vs Real Madrid summary: Bellingham goal, score, goals, highlights | LaLiga 2023-24

Real Madrid, meanwhile, opened up with a tricky looking match at Athletic Club but they made it look relatively easy. Similarly, Los Blancos scored two quick-fire goals in the Basque Country, with Rodrygo's opener followed up by Jude Bellingham's first competitive goal for the club. 

LaLiga 2023-24 matchday 1: Almería 0-2 Rayo Vallecano

Almería would have seen their opening fixture at home to Rayo Vallecano as a winnable one, but they were ultimately beaten 2-0 by the Madrid-based side in the opening game of the season a week past Friday. Two penalty goals in quick succession from Isi Palazón and Randy Nteka had them 2-0 down inside half-an-hour and they were unable to recover.   

Real Madrid to face Almería in away kit

It won't matter one jot so some, but you kit lovers might like to know that Real Madrid will be facing Almería in their away kit (because red quite clearly clashes with white). As exclusively revealed by Los Blancos' (how ironic, eh?) social media team here. 

The Power Horse Stadium ready for Almería vs Real Madrid

The Power Horse Stadium used to be called Estadio de los Juegos Mediterraneos (Mediterranean Games Stadium), which was a bit of a mouthful but entirely comprehensible, given that's what it was built for in 2004.

Now, drinks brand Power Horse is its official sponsor. We'll soon not have any stadiums that still have their original names. 

Almería team to play Real Madrid

Luis Suárez leads the attack for Almería against Real Madrid. Not that one, this one has played four times for Colombia and has signed with the club permanently after a loan spell from French club Marseille last season. 

Maximiamo; Pubill; Chumi, Edgar, Akieme; Baba, Robertone; Ramazani, Arribas, Embarba; Suárez.

ELITE SOCCER

Which elite players have suffered serious injuries early in the season? Courtois, Militão, De Bruyne…

Just as a follow-up to that Courtois and Militão chat, Real Madrid are perhaps the elite club that has suffered most at the hands of early-season injuries, although they are not the only ones. 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has been very outspoken on why so many players are picking up injuries, which seems to be worse than ever this year. Here's what he had to say about it, as well as other players who are currently on the sidelines.  

Andriy Lunin keeps his place in the Real Madrid team

I don't think it's too much of an exaggeration to say the prospect of Andriy Lunin replacing Thibaut Courtois long-term didn't fill most Real Madrid fans with confidence. In his defence, he has never really had a proper run in the team and is only 24, which is young for a goalkeeper. But he keeps his place after a clean sheet in Bilbao last weekend, although it would be a big surprise if Kepa doesn't come in sooner rather than later.

His name is almost the same as 'keeper', after all. 

Kepa must wait for first Real Madrid start

In response to that injury to Courtois that I mentioned, Real Madrid went out and signed Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa on loan. He'll likely have to wait to make his first appearance for his new club, though, with Andriy Lunin keeping his place in goal. 

Luka Modric again amongst the substitutes in Almería

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding whether 37-year-old playmaker Luka Modric may be a reduced role this season and that has certainly been the case so far. Only two games in, of course, but the Croat has started both of them on the bench.

He came on for the final 10 minutes against Athletic Club, how many will he play today?

Camavinga on the bench after muscle fatigue

French midfielder Eduardo Camavinga has been something of an impact player off the bench in the past but looks likely to start more often than not this season. He played from the off in Bilbao but has missed some training this week due to muscle fatigue and is only fit enough for a place amongst the subs, it seems. 

Still, Valverde-Kroos-Tchouaméni isn't a bad midfield three, with Bellingham just ahead,

Real Madrid team to play Almería: Camavinga on the bench

As ever, Real Madrid have gone ridiculously early with their official line-up for today's game:

Lunin; Carvajal, Rüdiger Alaba, García; Valverde, Kroos, Tchouaméni; Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius. 

No Eduardo Camavinga, who had been a fitness doubt. He is on the bench though. 

Real Madrid early team news: Courtois and Militão long-term absentees

Despite their win in Bilbao, Real Madrid have had a horror start to this season in terms of injuries. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and centre-back Eder Militão have both suffered ACL tears are set to miss several months of the season. The duo are normally two of the first names on Carlo Ancelotti's team sheet. 

LALIGA

Almería vs Real Madrid: times, how to watch on TV, stream online | LaLiga

Before we get down to business, you may still be wondering how to watch the game. If you’re in the United States then you’re in luck as there is a way and here are the details! Just be sure to stick with me too!

You can watch a live stream of Almería vs Real Madrid on fuboTV (free trial available)

What time does Almería vs Real Madrid kick-off?

The clash at Power Horse Stadium (yes, that's the name of a Spanish soccer stadium) gets underway at 7:30 p.m. local time in London, which makes it 1:30 p.m. ET and 10:30 a.m. PT. A mid- or pre-lunch LaLiga treat, anyone?

Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!

Hello and welcome to Almería vs Real Madrid!

Matchday two of LaLiga EA Sports (not Santander anymore, remember) is already upon us!

Real Madrid started the campaign in fine fashion with a solid 2-0 win at Athletic Club and, with the Santiago Bernabéu still being renovated, are again on the road this weekend. This time, they travel to the south-east of Spain to face Almería, who have already lost to Madrid opposition (Rayo Vallecano) at home this season. 

I’m Roddy and thanks for joining me for this one.