Real Madrid Players at the FIFA World Cup: Wednesday's Action

On Wednesday, there was more action for Real Madrid stars at this summer’s FIFA World Cup round of 32. Let’s take a look at how things went for them.

To begin, Jude Bellingham was named in the starting XI by manager Thomas Tuchel, as England faced DR Congo in Atlanta. Seven minutes in, the outsider shocked England by taking the lead.

It looked as if The Three Lions were going to be an even bigger shock exit than Germany against Paraguay, but two second half goals from Harry Kane 11 minutes apart saw the whole nation breathe a huge sigh of relief.

As for Bellingham himself, he was booked early on and he looked like his head has gone. In the first hydration break of the game, he seemed to calm down and he was very good throughout the game after that, playing the full 90, with another big chance created in this one too. Solid shift all round.

Next up for the Real Madrid star and his England side is a banana skin clash with hosts Mexico at the iconic Azteca Stadium, at 02:00 Monday CEST. A very tough game no doubt. High altitude, home atmosphere, etc etc. 

Later on in the day, Thibaut Courtois and Belgium locked horns with Senegal in Seattle, for their first knockout game at the competition since the 2018 edition in Russia.

After a dreadful performance, the Belgians found themselves 2-0 down after 51 minutes. It was still the same score line after 85 minutes, before Belgium pulled a goal back.

Then, just four minutes later, Courtois’ side scored a dramatic late equaliser to get level against all the odds, leaving their African counterparts completely and entirely starstruck.

After that, Senegal were able to get a foothold back into the game, and missed a big chance to win the game in the second half of extra time. However, in stoppage time of extra time, Belgium were awarded a penalty, and they scored it, winning the game from the unlikeliest of margins. Cruel for Senegal to take. 

As for Belgium and Courtois, they will play the winners of USA vs Bosnia and Herzegovina in the round of 16 - once again in Seattle - on Tuesday at 02:00. A huge win for them against all odds, one of the biggest shocks of the round. Perhaps not from the start of the game, but from the position they were in at one point.