When Marcus Rashford and Jude Bellingham stepped out onto the Santiago Bernabeu pitch on Sunday night, few may have predicted the layer of historical past that was about to unfold. The 2 Englishmen, going through one another of their respective colours for Barcelona and Actual Madrid, turned one in all soccer’s most iconic rivalries right into a landmark second that prolonged past La Liga’s fierce title race.
Since becoming a member of Actual Madrid in 2023, Jude Bellingham’s time in Spain has been nothing wanting eventful. After recovering from shoulder surgical procedure earlier within the season, the 22-year-old midfielder returned to motion decided to reassert his affect. His efficiency towards Barcelona was an announcement — and a decisive one at that.
Within the thrilling 2-1 victory, Bellingham was on the coronary heart of all the pieces good his staff produced. The Englishman “scored one and assisted one other,” as Marca reported, serving to Xabi Alonso’s aspect prolong their lead on the high of La Liga to 5 factors.
It was an evening that bolstered his rising repute as one in all Europe’s most clutch performers. His first main contribution got here halfway by the primary half, when he turned elegantly in midfield earlier than releasing a diagonal ball to Kylian Mbappe, who completed clinically previous Wojciech Szczesny. Moments later, when Marcus Rashford teed up Fermin Lopez for Barcelona’s equalizer, it seemed just like the pendulum may swing again.
However Bellingham responded nearly immediately. A looping header from Eder Militao discovered its solution to the Englishman, who tapped dwelling from shut vary — his sixth aim of the marketing campaign — to seal the win.
Rashford’s struggle within the Blaugrana shirt
For Marcus Rashford, it was an evening of combined feelings. The 27-year-old ahead, on mortgage from Manchester United, has rapidly turn out to be an important determine in Hansi Flick’s Barcelona. Rashford’s blistering tempo and intelligence in assault have made him a dependable outlet throughout an injury-hit interval for the Catalan aspect.
Within the El Clasico, Rashford performed a vital function in creating Barcelona’s solely aim. After dispossessing Arda Guler on the flank, he delivered a low cross for Fermin Lopez to stage the rating. Though his aspect finally fell quick, the Englishman’s contribution didn’t go unnoticed.
With 5 objectives and 7 assists throughout all competitions this season, Rashford is discovering his rhythm in Spain — and in doing so, serving to to redefine what an English ahead can obtain overseas.
The hidden chapter of historical past
The night time wasn’t nearly objectives and assists — it was about legacy. Hidden inside the pleasure of Sunday’s derby was a exceptional milestone that quietly reshaped the narrative of the game’s most storied rivalry.
For the primary time in historical past, not less than two English gamers confronted one another in El Clasico. Whereas each Actual Madrid and Barcelona have had English illustration up to now, similar to Gary Lineker for the Blaugrana and David Beckham, Steve McManaman, and Michael Owen for Los Blancos, none had ever shared the identical subject on this iconic fixture — till now.
Marcus Rashford of England celebrates with teammate Jude Bellingham
Bellingham and Rashford’s presence symbolized a brand new chapter for English soccer overseas. Much more placing, Trent Alexander-Arnold — one other Englishman — was on Madrid’s bench, signaling that the affect of English expertise in Spain’s elite duel may proceed for years to come back.
