Hats off to Jude Bellingham, the ultimate El Clasico superhero

The greatest allure of superheroes lies in their indomitable spirit to rise to the occasion and save the day, even in the most perilous circumstances. Their heroic acts, effortlessly overcoming challenges and crises, never fail to captivate us with a sense of romantic heroism and ignite a fiery passion within our hearts. This sentiment holds true for Jude Bellingham's heroics in El Clasico, the biggest club game in world football.

In the first Clasico of the season back in October, the 20-year-old marvel, an integral part of the Real Madrid squad, showcased his exceptional talent by netting two goals, including a late winner. It was a mesmerizing solo performance that left spectators in awe, solidifying his reputation as one of the finest talents in the game. And on Sunday night, Bellingham once again stole the spotlight with a dramatic goal in added time, leaving Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen helpless and sending the Bernabeu crowd into a frenzy of jubilation.

That crucial goal marked his 17th league goal and effectively sealed the fate of the title race. Madrid now stand proudly with an 11-point lead over second-placed Barcelona, with six of those points garnered from their triumphant Clasico victories, both owed to the remarkable contributions of none other than Bellingham.

It hasn't been a smooth ride for Bellingham and Madrid. The physical toll of their intense shootout victory against Manchester City was evident, with three key players unable to start due to fatigue. Barcelona seemed to have the upper hand when Andres Christensen rose above Toni Kroos and headed in Raphinha's corner just six minutes into the match. Mid-week, City had a whopping 18 corners against Madrid but failed to convert any of them. This time, Barcelona needed just one to make an impact.

However, the elation in the Barcelona camp was short-lived. The referee pointed to the penalty spot when Pau Cubarsi fouled Lucas Vazquez inside the box, presenting Vinicius Jr with the chance to score his 13th La Liga goal of the season. He confidently converted, leveling the score. Barcelona thought they had reclaimed the lead when Lamine Yamal flicked a corner towards the goal, and despite goalkeeper Andriy Lunin appearing to make a save from behind the line, Barcelona claimed that the ball had indeed crossed over. However, without goal-line technology in La Liga, the video assistant referee determined that it had not.

The second half was filled with nail-biting tension, but it finally came alive in the 69th minute. Lopez capitalized on Lunin's parried cross, tapping in from close range to give Barcelona the lead. Once again, their joy was short-lived, as just four minutes later, Real Madrid found the equalizer. Vazquez, left unmarked at the far post, met Vinicius' cross with precision.

Vinicius himself had a chance to put Madrid ahead, displaying his lightning-fast speed as he sprinted up the left flank. Unfortunately, his efforts were thwarted by the exceptional goalkeeping skills of Ter Stegen. Regrettably, Vinicius was substituted soon after, missing out on another opportunity to shine. But Madrid weren't done yet.

As the game entered stoppage time, Vazquez delivered one final telling pass towards the far post, and there stood Bellingham, the man of the hour. With lightning reflexes, he unleashed a thunderous strike with his left foot, sending the ball soaring into the roof of the net. The significance of the moment was not lost, as Bellingham became the first Real player in 17 years to score in their first two La Liga El Clasico clashes.  

Once again, he proved to be the decisive factor. Celebrating with Vazquez at the corner flag, Bellingham was serenaded by the adoring Bernabeu crowd, who belted out his name in unison. It was the climax of an extraordinary superhero saga.