Jude Bellingham drew lavish praise from Borussia Dortmund teammate Erling Haaland after grabbing a goal and an assist in the Champions League victory over Besiktas
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Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Jude Bellingham was labelled “amazing” by Erling Haaland after he smashed two Champions League records on Wednesday night.
Bellingham, 18, scored the opening goal and laid on a sublime assist for Haaland to double the advantage in the first half of Dortmund’s Group C clash away to Besiktas.
The hosts pulled one back through Javi Montero in added time but that proved too little, too late as the German club kicked off their campaign with three points.
Crowned UEFA Player of the Match, it was yet another performance which showed why former Birmingham City academy starlet Bellingham is one of the most-coveted talents in European football.
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The teenager’s goal – a powerful finish after collecting a bouncing ball in the area – made him the youngest player to score away from home in Champions League history.
Bellingham’s strike from a tight angle also saw him become the youngest player to score in back-to-back Champions League fixtures, eclipsing Paris Saint-Germain sensation Kylian Mbappe.
The midfielder – who joined Dortmund for £25million in July 2020 – also found the back of the net in the 2-1 defeat by Manchester City in last season’s quarter-final second leg.
Bellingham was clearly delighted with his star showing against Besiktas and interrupted Haaland’s post-match interview to give him a kiss on the cheek.
The prolific Norwegian striker was asked about his teammate’s display and told BT Sport : “He was amazing.
“He’s 18 – three years younger than me – it’s crazy! What can I say? He’s amazing He is 18-years-old and plays so incredibly well. He is fantastic.”
Bellingham is sure to attract interest from the continent’s giant clubs next summer, with Liverpool understood to have made him their priority target.
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Haaland, 21, is also a man in demand and there could be a flurry of offers on the table when his rumoured £68million release clause comes into force next year.
Thanks to Bellingham’s weaving run and pinpoint pull-back, the former Molde and Red Bull Salzburg frontman scored his 66th goal in 66 games for Dortmund in the victory over Besiktas.
“We fought hard and we did good so I’m happy with the win,” said Haaland of the win. “It was a tough game. That was an important victory.
“I am very happy with the win. I’m a goalscorer, that’s my job. So I have to score goals.”
Bellingham added: “It was a brilliant atmosphere. The most important thing is that we won the game. That was our job today. It went back and forth, a bit like basketball.
“We are very happy with the first few games. It’s so much fun to win football matches with Borussia Dortmund. We have to continue like this.”
