Mastantuono nets first Real Madrid goal as Bellingham returns

Real Madrid's 18 year old winger Franco Mastantuono scored his first goal for the club in Tuesday's 4-1 LaLiga victory at Levante, a landmark moment that underlined a bright start to life at the Santiago Bernabéu and intensified an already competitive battle for places as Jude Bellingham edged back from injury. Mastantuono's strike, after a driving run into the box and a finish into the roof of the net following a pass from Vinícius Jr., helped extend Real Madrid's perfect league start and supplied a boost to a player who arrived from River Plate in August.

The goal came as Bellingham made a comeback appearance from shoulder surgery, entering late in the contest and playing around 20 minutes. Mastantuono was among the players substituted to accommodate the England midfielder. Xabi Alonso later recounted the reaction in the dressing room, saying that when he took Mastantuono off the youngster asked, "You are subbing me?" and that he told him "Yes Franco, I am subbing you. He was a bit mad. So everyone wants to play, not just Vini." Alonso's comments highlighted the selection dilemma the manager now faces as he reintegrates senior players returning from injury.