Spanish powerhouse Atletico Madrid put an end to bitter rivals Real Madrid's flawless beginning to the 2023/24 season, clinching a resounding 3-1 victory at the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano.  

Alvaro Morata directed an early header into the net, setting the tone for Atletico's dominance. Antoine Griezmann further solidified their advantage by doubling the lead. Although Toni Kroos injected a glimmer of hope for Real with a smart finish just before the interval, Morata swiftly extinguished any hopes of a comeback by nodding the ball home in the second half.  

Prior to this encounter, Atletico had only emerged victorious in one out of their last 14 Madrid derbies in La Liga. But this time around, they swiftly caught their bitter rivals off guard by finding the back of the net twice within the opening 18 minutes. Subsequently, Atletico showcased unwavering defensive fortitude, steadfastly fending off any fightback from Real for the remainder of the tie.

In the midst of a constellation of big stars, it was Saul Niguez who radiated the brightest. His seamless partnership with the equally magnificent Lino on the left flank was a sight to behold. Demonstrating his marvelous skill, Saul delivered two exquisite crosses that led to Atletico's goals. The second cross, in particular, was an absolute masterpiece, a peach of a delivery that Morata simply could not miss. 

Real proved vulnerable to counter-attacks, with the typically dependable David Alaba found wanting on three occasions. The Austrian lost his marker Morata, leading to Atletico's opening goal. Then he repeated this lapse in marking, allowing Griezmann to score the second, and once more succumbing to Morata's threat for the third goal. It is indeed challenging to recollect a performance of such subpar quality from the esteemed defender. 

England midfielder Jude Bellingham, who netted six goals in his first six appearances for Madrid, appeared visibly vexed throughout the tie. This culmination of frustration manifested itself in a yellow card, following a regrettable challenge on Angel Correa during injury time.

It would be unjust to label Bellingham's performance as abysmal. In comparison, former Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric's impact was even more subdued. Nevertheless, owing to the prodigious talent possessed by the 20-year-old, his average display on such a grand stage garnered attention.  

It is worth noting that the system employed by coach Carlo Ancelotti, with Rodrygo spearheading the attack as a lone figure, did not offer Bellingham a clear focal point to exploit and thrive upon, thus hindering his effectiveness. 

Undoubtedly, Bellingham's tenure in Madrid will be adorned with numerous memorable derbies and El Clasicos. However, this particular encounter will not be etched in his memory as one of those cherished moments.

Meanwhile, in England, the sensational 8-0 triumph of Newcastle United over Sheffield United propelled them into the top half of the topflight while simultaneously shattering an array of records. 

The result saw eight different scorers in a single game for the very first time in Premier League history. Sean Longstaff, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, Anthony Gordon, Miguel Almiron, Bruno Guimaraes and Alexander Isak all got their names on the scoresheet. 

It also draws parallels with Newcastle's previous record-setting rout, an 8-0 win against Sheffield United's rivals, Sheffield Wednesday, at the iconic St James' Park in 1999. During that momentous clash, the legendary Alan Shearer showcased his prowess by scoring an impressive five goals. 

Conversely, this was the Blades' largest defeat in their league history. The fresh blow arrived merely a week after they suffered a heart-wrenching 2-1 defeat against Tottenham, with two goals conceded in the dying moments of stoppage time.