After scoring two goals in the second half for Real Madrid, veteran striker Joselu led Union Berlin out of Europe.

Cheered on by fans eager to experience Champions League football for the first time and finish on a high note with Europa League qualification, they were precisely where they wanted to be at halftime, trailing Braga 0–1 and facing Carlo Ancelotti’s club for the first time.

However, the former striker for Stoke and Newcastle, who is having a fantastic farewell party at the team where he began his career, got a brace to put an end to the fantasy. Alex Kral’s late equalizer gave some false hope, but Dani Ceballos scored Madrid’s winner with a help from Jude Bellingham.

For his first goal, Joselu leaped high, and for his second, he bent to nod. Luka Modric became the fourth member of Real Madrid to miss a penalty this season, and the home team took the lead thanks to a series of mishaps at the back involving Nacho and David Alaba. Madrid needed him to rescue them from this disastrous first half.

In just 50 seconds, after returning to goal, Kepa Arrizabalaga prevented Madrid from falling behind. Following a botched clearing by Luka Modric, the Chelsea loanee keeper made a point-blank stop from Kevin Behrens’ strike.

In the final seconds of the match, Dani Ceballos scored to give Union Berlin a 3-2 victory.

In the final seconds of the match, Dani Ceballos scored to give Union Berlin a 3-2 victory.

It happened after Carlo Ancelotti’s team overcame a goal behind in the game thanks to two goals from Joselu.

It happened after Carlo Ancelotti’s team overcame a goal behind in the game thanks to two goals from Joselu.

Just before halftime, Germany’s Kevin Volland scored Union Berlin’s opening goal.

Union Berlin’s first goal was scored by Kevin Volland of Germany just before halftime.

After ten minutes, Bellingham’s shot from Lucas Vazquez’s pass was blocked by Frederik Ronnow as Madrid started to find their rhythm. He had another chance within the minute, but he failed to capitalize on Fran Garcia’s cross.

Just as Union Berlin was about to fall behind once more, Joselu headed over from another Fran Garcia crossing. Rani Khedira, the brother of former Madrid midfielder Sami, took down Dani Ceballos, setting up Madrid for a set-piece opportunity, but Fede Valverde curled the corner over.

Bellingham was booked before halftime, so he only has one more yellow from the ban. After Nacho trod on Jerome Roussillon, Union Berlin was furious with referee Rade Obrenovic for allowing play to continue. When the ball eventually exited the play, Bellingham followed Khedira into the book for a shove. Nacho fled without even giving a warning.

Madrid was awarded a penalty as Diogo Leite used his dangling hand to make contact with Lucas’ cross. Modric made a feeble attempt to go down the middle to take the penalty, but the goalie stopped him.

After Joselu’s brace, Alex Kral equalized to bring the score 2-2, but Madrid scored in the last seconds of play to win.

 

 

After Joselu’s brace, Alex Kral equalized to bring the score 2-2, but Madrid scored in the last seconds of play to win.

Having won all of their games in Group C, they will now move on to the Champions League knockout stages.

As a result of winning every game in Group C, they will advance to the Champions League elimination round.

Shortly afterward, having seen their side maintain the lead with the last-minute attack of the half, Union fans found themselves squarely on the other end of the emotional spectrum.

After Frederik Ronnow took a long kick down the field, Nacho missed his header, and David Alaba made a ridiculous attempt to clear the ball. But Kevin Volland pushed past Lucas and past Kepa.

At this point, Napoli was ahead 2-0, with Union predicted to finish third. Did they manage to hang on? Rodrygo had a chance to score after just ten minutes, but he was unable to do so despite Bellingham’s excellent assist. Ronnow hit the ball with a swipe. He made up for his mistake with the cross for the scoring. Joselu took advantage of the situation to score the equalizer.

After he headed in Fran Garcia’s cross to make it 2-1, it appeared that Union would lose, but their supporters persisted in believing, and when substitute Kral scored past Kepa after Madrid had botched multiple chances to clear the ball, the Europa League doors opened just a little bit more. For as long as it took Bellingham to mount a left-wing attack and locate Dani Ceballos, who scored to level the game at three, there was hope.