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Madrid World Cup Spotlight: Vinicius bows out with Brazil; Bellingham helps England bury the ghosts of Azteca
The 2026 FIFA World Cup truly came to life last night as it served up two absolute classics that will be remembered for a long time to come.
Brazil took on Norway in the first game, hoping to eliminate the Vikings and keep their dream of a sixth star alive.
It was a game that was tightly contested throughout. Brazil had the opportunity to take an early lead after Matheus Cunha was fouled inside the box.
However, Bruno Guimaraes saw his penalty effort saved by the Norwegian goalkeeper, keeping the score at 0-0 until the 80th minute.
It was then that Erling Haaland chose to burst into life. The Manchester City striker scored a quick-fire brace to end Brazil’s hopes of progressing to the next round.
A late penalty awarded to Carlo Ancelotti’s side proved to be more of a consolation goal for Neymar on his last ever appearance for his nation than anything else.
England took on Mexico at the Azteca, hoping to bury the ghosts of 1986 and progress to the next round, where they will face Norway.
It was a sensational game that kept swinging one way and then the other, and ended up being arguably the best game so far at this World Cup.
From a Real Madrid perspective, Vinicius Junior, Endrick and Jude Bellingham were in action, so let us see how they fared.
Vinicius Junior vs Norway
For Vinicius, it was a painful exit because he was one of the few Brazil players who still looked capable of breaking the game open.
He created two chances, completed six dribbles and took two shots, including one big opportunity.
Vinicius can still generate danger even when the team around him lacks rhythm, but Brazil never gave him enough support or a clean attacking structure. Too much depended on individual actions.
His best moment came when he threaded a brilliant trivela pass through to Endrick, creating the kind of chance that could have changed the entire tie.
Instead, the young striker could not turn it into a goal, and Norway punished Brazil soon after.
Endrick vs Norway
Endrick’s cameo will hurt.
He came on in the second half with Brazil needing energy, aggression and a penalty-box presence, but the defining moment became the chance he could not finish.
For a teenager, that is brutal, but it is also part of an elite football education. The disappointment is obvious, but there is no need to overreact.
Endrick is still learning how to carry pressure at this level. The problem for Brazil was not one young striker missing one chance. It was a whole attack that never looked fully convincing.
Jude Bellingham vs Mexico
Bellingham’s night was the complete opposite.
England beat Mexico 3-2 in a chaotic round-of-16 tie, and the Madrid midfielder scored twice in the first half to give his side a 2-0 lead.
The first goal came from a perfectly timed run and header, and the second arrived just 98 seconds later as Bellingham finished from close range.
This was Bellingham at his most Madrid-like: decisive, fearless and ready for the biggest atmosphere.
The Azteca was loud, hostile and emotionally loaded, but he looked like a player feeding off it rather than shrinking from it.
He also contributed defensively, including an incredible last-ditch challenge just before half-time.
Bellingham’s value is not just goals from midfield, it is the way he fills every corner of a match with responsibility.
Vinicius and Endrick head home with Brazil earlier than expected, while Bellingham moves on after one of the performances of the knockout stage.
Real Madrid will lock horns with Elche CF away at Estadio Manuel Martinez Valero later tonight in Matchday 6 of the 2026/27 La Liga season.
The Merengues are currently second in the league standings with four wins and one defeat from five games, three points behind Barcelona, who are yet to drop a single point this term, and have looked unstoppable.
Given the situation, Real Madrid know there is no room for slip-up, even though it is still very early in the season.
Jose Mourinho’s men have not been particularly convincing away from home this term, having just about managed to beat RCD Espanyol in their opening match before falling to their only defeat of the campaign against Real Betis.
The hope will be to address that issue and put in a strong performance while collecting all three points heading into the derby against Atletico Madrid later in the week.
Going into the match, Los Blancos have not received any new fitness boosts, with Eder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, and Ferland Mendy still unavailable.
However, there will likely be some rotations with an eye on the derby, and here’s how Mourinho could set his team up against Elche tonight.
Defence
Trent Alexander-Arnold has had to share minutes with summer signing Denzel Dumfries so far this season, but will be hoping to make the right-back spot his own with a convincing performance tonight against Elche.
Meanwhile, on the left, Alvaro Carreras is expected to retain his place after a brilliant display at the weekend against Rayo Vallecano, which would also allow Marc Cucurella to be protected before the derby.
At centre-back, Dean Huijsen is expected to return to the starting lineup, at the expense of Antonio Rudiger, and partner with Ibrahima Konate.
Thibaut Courtois is the undisputed starter in goal for Real Madrid and will continue his search for a second clean sheet this season.
Midfield
While Aurelien Tchouameni has returned from his injury layoff, he is unlikely to be rushed back by Mourinho. As such, the Frenchman is likely to feature off the bench once again tonight at Elche.
Instead, the double pivot pairing of Federico Valverde and Bernardo Silva is expected to take the field once again, with Eduardo Camavinga also having to settle for a spot among the substitutes.
Jude Bellingham has started all of Real Madrid’s matches so far this season and given his form and importance to the team, Mourinho will not rotate him tonight against Elche.
Attack
Yan Diomande made his first start at Real Madrid last weekend against Rayo Vallecano but failed to make the best impression.
Meanwhile, Arda Guler was once again brilliant for Los Blancos after coming on as a substitute, making a strong case for him to be reinstated to the starting XI on the right wing.
As for the left side of the attack, Vinicius Jr. will retain his place, hoping to find his best form after a rather slow start to the campaign.
Kylian Mbappe, who has now scored six goals in La Liga this season, will spearhead the attack, hoping to end his run of seven months without scoring away from home in the league.
