Atalanta vs. Real Madrid score, result: Bellingham, Blancos secure critical victory but lose Mbappe to injury

Real Madrid are often known for their flair and pizazz, but at this point in the season, Carlo Ancelotti will have no desire for any style points.

Lacking any glamour above that required, a desperate Blancos side picked up a critical 3-2 Champions League victory on the road at in-form Atalanta, albeit one that potentially comes at a cost.

Kyilan Mbappe got it started as he scored 10 minutes in, seeming to add another notch in the argument that he's possibly rediscovering his best form. Yet his high hopes were dashed on the half-hour mark as he was forced to exit with an injury, replaced by Rodrygo.

MORE: The latest on Kylian Mbappe's hamstring injury suffered in the first half of the Atalanta win

Atalanta scored on the stroke of halftime, further plummeting Madrid back into the darkness, but they would not be denied on the day. Vinicius Jr. scored with his first attempt on goal shortly after the restart, and just three minutes later Jude Bellingham had also found the net for a 3-1 lead.

The hosts, winners of nine straight games, would not go quietly, as the prolific Ademola Lookman pulled them a goal back just past the hour mark. But their hard work in search of an equalizer would go unrewarded as Mateo Retegui agonizingly missed a sitter bang on the fulltime whistle.

The Sporting News followed the Atalanta vs. Real Madrid match live, providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happened.

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid final score

Kickoff: 9 p.m. local (3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT)
Location: Gewiss Stadium (Bergamo, Italy)
Referee: Szymon Marciniak (POL)

FOLLOW LIVE: Keep track of every game and every goal via SN's live Premier League scoreboard

Starting lineups:

Atalanta (3-5-2, right to left): 2. Carnesecchi (GK) — 19. Djimsiti (Kossounou, 65'), 4. Hien, 23. Kolasinac — 16. Bellanova (Zappacosta, 75'), 15. De Roon, 13. Ederson, 22. Ruggeri, 8. Pasalic (Samardzic, 58') — 17. De Ketelaere (Retegui, 75'), 11. Lookman.

Real Madrid (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Courtois (GK) — 17. Vazquez, 14. Tchouameni, 22. Rudiger, 20. F Garcia — 8. Valverde, 21. 5. Bellingham (Guler, 87'), 19. Ceballos (Modric, 84') — 9. Mbappe (Rodrygo, 36'), 7. Vinicius, B. Diaz (Asencio, 84').

MORE: Find out how to stream the Atalanta vs. Real Madrid match LIVE

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid updates, highlights from Champions League

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid stats

Live minute-by-minute updates, highlights from Atalanta vs. Real Madrid

FULLTIME: Atalanta 2-3 Real Madrid

Retegui's gut-wrenching miss is the final kick of the game, and it results not in a last-gasp equalizer for the hosts, but instead a much-needed three points for Real Madrid!

An absolutely critical result for Real Madrid who needed that win in the worst way, pulling them away from the elimination zone. Unfortunately, it may have come at a cost as Kylian Mbappe's injury will worry the Madrid faithful amidst a season plagued by injuries.

90+3 min: Chance, Atalanta! HOW DID MATEO RETEGUI NOT SCORE?!?!?!? Ademola Lookman puts the ball on a platter just two yards from goal, an absolute SITTER for the Atalanta striker, but as he pokes his foot out to redirect the ball into the net, he bafflingly puts it over the bar!

90+2 mins: With four minutes of added time shown, Atalanta are pushing hard for an equalizer but becoming increasingly desperate. Vinicius Jr. goes down off the ball dramatically, and Odilon Koussounou tries to drag the Brazilian back to his feet knowing time is of the essence. It sparks a scuffle, and the Atalanta man is booked.

Lucas Vazquez is also shown a yellow card for his part in the fracas, which means he will be suspended for the next Champions League match due to accumulation.

84th min: Carlo Ancelotti makes a double change as Dani Ceballos and Brahim Diaz exit. Entering are Luka Modrid and young Raul Asencio, the latter of whom is young and highly touted by Madrid fans, who have clamored for him to see the field more. Ceballos looks to be dealing with a fitness issue as he exits.

Minutes later Jude Bellingham is yanked by Ancelotti in favor of Arda Guler.

80th min: Ederson is tripped by Federico Valverde who catches the Brazilian on the ankle on his way through, and the whistle is blown giving Atalanta a dangerous free-kick about 25 yards from goal in a central location. Standing over it is Lazar Samardzic, who takes the hit after a touch from Maarten de Roon, but it's weak and makes for an easy low save.

78th min: Inspired by the changes, Atalanta are back in the attacking third, but the spell of pressure ends with a thud as a potentially dangerous shot by substitute Lazar Samardzic takes a deflection on its way through and falls perfectly into the waiting arms of Thibaut Courtois.

75th min: Gasperini makes a triple change for Atalanta as Charles De Ketelaere, Raoul Bellanova, and Berat Djimsiti exit. Mateo Retegui, Davide Zappacosta, and Odilon Kossounou enter the match, bringing fresh legs.

They're all straight, like-for-like swaps. Kossounou's entry appearing to potentially be forced as Djimsiti looks to have picked up a knock.

70th min: Chance, Real Madrid! Brahim Diaz fires a volley over the crossbar with a great chance to score! It's a shot with a high degree of difficulty, as he looks to redirect a looping ball on goal from about eight yards out, but he gets the angle wrong and blasts it into the crowd.

Moments later, Marco Carnesecchi makes a save on Rodrygo who rips a right-footed effort from left of the penalty spot but places it far too close to the Atalanta goalkeeper.

65th min: GOAL! ATALANTA! The hosts aren't going away quietly, as Ademola Lookman strikes back as you knew he might! What a fabulous, exhilarating game this has turned into!

Thibaut Courtois makes a great save to deny Raoul Bellanova on an initial effort, but as Atalanta recycle possession around to the left, Lookman scores an all-too-easy goal by cutting vertically on his left and slicing the ball inside the near post!

VIDEO: Watch Lookman goal in USA | Watch in UK | Watch in Australia

59th min: GOAL! REAL MADRID! CHAMPIONS LEAGUE JUDE BELLINGHAM IS BACK! Real Madrid have awoken as Jude Bellingham gets his first UCL goal in his last 19 appearances! Again, it comes from a relatively harmless passage of play, as the England international receives a long ball down the right, but is never truly pressured by Maarten de Roon. Bellingham cuts inside on his left and cooly deposits a shot into the back of the net while falling over.

Atalanta were in control of this game, but two moments of laziness have them staring at a two-goal deficit!

VIDEO: Watch Bellingham goal in USA | Watch in Canada | Watch in UK | Watch in Australia

56th min: GOAL! REAL MADRID! REAL MADRID ARE BACK IN FRONT OUT OF NOTHING! Los Blancos had been far from inventive this half so far, but on a nothing through-ball which deflects off a defender, the ball lands perfectly in the path of Vinicius Jr, who gets past his man with a vertical run and slots it past the goalkeeper!

VIDEO: Watch Vinicius Jr goal in USA | Watch in Canada | Watch in UK | Watch in Australia

In the aftermath of the goal, Mario Pasalic is withdrawn as Atalanta's first substitute, replaced by Lazar Samardzic.

53rd min: Vinicius Jr. goes to ground in the penalty area under a tackle from Ederson, but the referee rightly waves play on, and there's not much protest from the Brazilian or his teammates.

2nd half kickoff: They're back under way with it all to play for in the second half. No changes for either team as far as personnel are concerned.

HALFTIME: Atalanta 1-1 Real Madrid

It was going so well early on for Real Madrid as they led on a 10th minute goal by Kylian Mbappe, but everything has fallen apart since then. Mbappe's gone off injured, and Real Madrid conceded just before the break. It had been coming, as Atalanta were the better side across the whole of the first half, especially the final 20 minutes before the break.

More and more headaches for Carlo Ancelotti, who has run out of room for error in European play.

45+1 min: PENALTY, ATALANTA! Aurelien Tchouameni, filling in at center-back for Real Madrid, clips the heel of Sead Kolasinac as he makes a vertical charge on the ball, and the referee doesn't hesitate for a moment as he points towards the spot!

Charles de Ketelaere steps up to take and...SCORES! GOAL, ATALANTA! The playmaker is on hand with aplomb, as he blasts a howitzer perfectly into the top-right corner! We're level on the stroke of halftime!

VIDEO: Watch Atalanta goal in USA | Watch in Canada | Watch in UK | Watch in Australia

Aurélien Tchouaméni clips Sead Kolašinac in the box and Charles De Ketelaere brings Atalanta level against Real Madrid 🔥 pic.twitter.com/HKDH7cC4Xj

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 10, 2024

40th min: Chance, Real Madrid! The visitors haven't had much in front of goal to savor since the opening goal, but Antonio Rudiger comes close with a headed chance from a deep Dani Ceballos delivery that was played across by Jude Bellingham! The defender puts it wide of the left post after Bellingham put it on a platter.

35th min: INJURY — Kylian Mbappe is down at midfield off the ball and needs medical treatment, sitting up on his rear as the trainers arrive. This is a real issue for Madrid, who have already had more than their fair share of injury issues this season...

He walks off under his own power after a very short conversation, and has a chat with Carlo Ancelotti. He then goes straight to the Madrid bench, and is going to come off. It's hard to tell exactly what happened or what the problem is, but it's an immediate and significant concern for Los Blancos. Rodrygo comes in to replace the Frenchman, as the mood around the game dampens significantly.

31st min: Ademola Lookman, unsurprisingly Atalanta's most dangerous forward so far, has a go from just outside the top-left corner of the penalty area, but blasts his shot wildly and it flies well wide of the far post. Not a good look on goal from that position.

28th min: Atalanta have completely controlled the last 10 minutes or so, and have managed to keep the ball in the attacking third for quite a long time. They're struggling, however, to deal with the Madrid physicality, which at the moment is keeping the hosts from really testing Thibaut Courtois. Ademola Lookman pushes off the back of a defender to create space to receive a big switch, which draws a foul and an end to their possession.

21st min: Chance, Atalanta! YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME! TCHOUAMENI DOES IT AGAIN! ANOTHER big block to keep Ederson from testing Courtois! This time, the Frenchman sticks his leg out to put his foot expertly in the line of the Brazilian's shot.

20th min: Chance, Atalanta! Another big block from Real Madrid, this time by Antonio Rudiger, who gets a touch on a Charles De Ketelaere shot which slows the ball considerably and makes the ball easy for Thibaut Courtois to collect! The hosts look very dangerous but they can't find a way through the trees.

17th min: Chance, Atalanta! Brahim Diaz is exceptionally lucky not to be booked by Polish referee Szymon Marciniak as he chops down an Atalanta player in transition but is not punished more than a common foul.

Atalanta take the free-kick quickly, and they produce a quality opportunity as they move forward quickly but there's another big block from a Madrid defender to prevent the entry pass to the front of goal. This game is breathless!

14th min: Chance, Real Madrid! Real Madrid break ferociously from the Lookman chance, and Kylian Mbappe forces a wonderful save by Marco Carnesecchi!

14th min: Chance, Atalanta! Aurelien Tchouameni makes a last-gasp block to prevent Ademola Lookman from putting a dangerous shot on frame! It's a fabulous effort from Tchouameni who likely prevents an immediate response!

10th min: GOAL! REAL MADRID! KYLIAN MBAPPE HAS ARRIVED! Receiving a pass from Brahim Diaz at the top of the penalty area with his back to goal, the Frenchman produces a sensational first touch to spin around his baffled defender and finish easily past the goalkeeper!

It's Mbappe's second Champions League goal for Real Madrid, and first since their opener against Stuttgart in mid-September!

VIDEO: Watch Mbappe goal in USA | Watch in Canada | Watch in UK | Watch in Australia

🔥 @KMbappe 🔥 #UCL pic.twitter.com/M83GpCQWnT

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇫🇷 (@realmadridfra) December 10, 2024

8th min: Real Madrid had controlled the early portion of this match, with Brahim Diaz looking incisive, but Atalanta  have managed to work a response and now are enjoying a spell of attacking possession themselves. A lively start to this match.

2nd min: Chance, Real Madrid! Kylian Mbappe is clean through on goal from a tight angle on the right, but Marco Carnesecchi makes a great save by closing down the shooting space!

Kickoff: They're under way in Bergamo! Both sides have a lot to play for — Atalanta are on the cusp of a top eight position and would be considered contenders for a famous win, while Real Madrid are hoping just to avoid dropping further into elimination danger.

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kickoff: Having Thibaut Courtois back in goal for Real Madrid has been important. Two of their three Champions League defeats came in his absence, although it's hard to truly blame Andriy Lunin for those, since Madrid scored a combined one goal over those two games).

🧤 @thibautcourtois 🧤#UCL pic.twitter.com/Mnj6MtGZx3

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) December 10, 2024

30 mins to kickoff: Jude Bellingham exploded to life at Real Madrid last season, scoring in his first four UCL matches with the club, but has been quiet since in European play. His 18 shots across his goal drought have been worth 2.3 total xG, meaning he's due for a strike. They could use him today to rescue their European standing.

12 - Jude Bellingham hasn’t scored in any of his last 12 appearances in the UEFA Champions League for Real Madrid, having netted in each of his first four for the club (four goals). Bellingham has attempted 18 shots across these 12 games (2.3 xG). Necessary. pic.twitter.com/tDreUVV0D3

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 10, 2024

45 mins to kickoff: The new Champions League format was crafted in part to give big clubs more room for error in reaching the knockout stage, but the likes of PSG and Real Madrid have still struggled to put their best foot forward and are at risk of elimination. The CBS Sports crew discussed the new format in their pregame show broadcast in the United States. Their studio show is always a blast, before during and after matches, and has gained notoriety for its perfect balance of analysis and nonsense.

For example, CBS sent Micah Richards and Alessandro Del Piero on site in Bergamo, and apparently Micah Richards had a haircut snafu which gave the crew a laugh. Del Piero said they have enjoyed the wine and food in Italy, as you do.

The new #UCL format has caused some shocking results for big teams 👀@kate_scott, Thierry Henry, @Carra23 and @clint_dempsey talk Real Madrid and PSG's campaigns so far ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/LwTl28Lhv2

— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) December 10, 2024

1 hour to kickoff: The Atalanta lineup is now available, and it's as expected with a traditional back three from Gian Piero Gasperini. The chemistry between Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere has been brilliant this season, and we tipped the two will combine yet again against an out-of-form Real Madrid back line.

MORE: See our full rundown of predictions, best bets, and props for today's match by clicking here.

1 hour 15 mins to kick: Atalanta's incredible recent form is even more stark when compared to that of Real Madrid, who have not stood on business against opposition they'd be expected to handle. They have three defeats in five Champions League games to the likes of Lille, AC Milan, and Liverpool, while they've lost to Athletic Club last time out in league play.

It's been a trying campaign for Carlo Ancelotti, and Los Blancos can ill afford yet another adverse result in European play. They currently occupy the final qualifying spot in the standings with just three matches to go, and defeat here could leave them in an elimination position. Could the defending champions, the most successful European club, really be bounced in the league phase?

1 hour 30 mins to kick: The recent form of Atalanta is something to behold. They are unbeaten in 14 straight matches across all competitions, including wins in nine straight. While many of those games came against opponents they'd be expected to beat, there are victories over AC Milan and Napoli in that stretch, and the consistency is something many top European clubs would be envious of.

They sit top of the Serie A table and fifth in the Champions League standings. Can they really keep this up across a long season? Gian Piero Gasperini certainly deserves a season such as this, especially after winning last year's Europa League title!

Atalanta are top of Serie A, fifth in the UCL table, and unbeaten in 14 games since September.

They’ve beaten the likes of Napoli, Roma, and AC Milan and drew against Arsenal this season.

They're in great form entering today's match vs. Real Madrid 🔥 pic.twitter.com/dNVMErtElR

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 10, 2024

1 hour 45 mins to kick: In typical Real Madrid fashion, Carlo Ancelotti's starting lineup has already been made public, and there are a few talking points.

First, while Vinicius Jr. returns to the starting lineup after a short spell out with injury, fellow Brazilian Rodrygo is not fit enough to make the XI, with Brahim Diaz in there instead. Additionally, it's Dani Ceballos in midfield instead of Luka Modric, with Eduardo Camavinga still out injured.

There are three youth players on the bench for Madrid, thanks to their hefty injury load. 19-year-old left-back Youssef Enriquez, a Spain youth international who has also appeared for Morocco's youth side, is amongst the substitutes, while young midfielder Chema Andres is also available alongside Sergio Mestre.

2 hours to kickoff: Carlo Ancelotti had a humorous moment in his pre-match press conference before this game. There's been a lot of talk about Kylian Mbappe's fit at Real Madrid since joining in the summer, but a couple goals in his last few matches have quieted that for now.

Apparently, Ancelotti's not quite used to talking about other topics, and joked at the end of the presser that it might be the first time all year he didn't field a single question about Mbappe!

🤣 La frase de Ancelotti sobre Mbappé que puso a los 100 de la sala de prensa a carcajada limpia#UCL pic.twitter.com/YfDSg9W2UZ

— Diario AS (@diarioas) December 9, 2024

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid kickoff time

This Champions League match kicks off from Gewiss Stadium on Tuesday, December 10 at 9 p.m. local time in Bergamo, Italy. Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the globe:

Atalanta vs. Real Madrid lineups, team news, starting 11

Mateo Retegui started from the bench in Atalanta's win over AC Milan, however, he should once again lead their frontline against Real Madrid from the start.

Atalanta come into this match without the likes of Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta and Juan Cuadrado who are sidelined with injuries.

Atalanta starting lineup (3-5-2): Carnesecchi (GK) — Djimsiti, Hien, Kolasinac — Bellanova, De Roon, Ederson, Ruggeri, Pasalic — De Ketelaere, Lookman.

Atalanta subs (11): Rossi (GK), Patricio (GK), Godfrey, Zappacosta, Palestra, Kossounou, Toloi, Samardzic, Brescianini, Zaniolo, Retegui.

Ancelotti has been boosted by two major returns with Rodrygo passed fit after missing the 3-0 La Liga win over Girona with a muscle injury. Fellow Brazilian Vinicius Junior is also back - after missing the last four games - and both players are in line to start in Italy. Vini slots back into the starting XI, but Rodrygo is only fit for the bench.

Dani Carvajal, David Alaba and Eder Militao are all still long-term absentees with Ferland Mendy out until the start of 2025. Fran Garcia is expected to cover for Mendy at left-back but Eduardo Camavinga has been left in Madrid as a precaution.

Real Madrid starting lineup (4-3-3): Courtois (GK) — Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rudiger, F Garcia — Valverde, Bellingham, Ceballos — B. Diaz, Mbappe, Vinicius.

Real Madrid subs (10): Lunin (GK), Mestre (GK), Vallejo, Y. Enriquez, Andres, Modric, Asensio, Guler, Rodrygo, Endrick.