Forget about Messi and CR7 - we're watching the next generation! Jude and Vini dance to three more points

For well over a decade, names like Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Neymar and Eden Hazard were mentioned as the best players our game has to offer. But those fine players are now in the past because the present and the future belong to Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior.

In last season's corresponding match, Almería had taken the lead in the sixth minute. However, they surprised many by scoring an even quicker goal in the third minute of this encounter. The hosts swiftly turned a set-piece by Real Madrid into a counterattack, catching Toni Kroos off guard. Sergio Arribas, a former Los Blancos youth team player, managed to get to the ball ahead of Kroos and nodded in an unexpected opening goal. However, that's as good as the night got for the red-and-whites.

Undeterred, the visitors regained their composure and equalized when Bellingham swiftly poked the ball into the net from close range.

Almería had posed a constant threat throughout the first half, forcing Andriy Lunin into making several saves. Yet, just before halftime, Los Blancos seemed to have taken the lead. However, after a VAR review, Kroos' powerful shot was disallowed due to a foul committed by Dani Carvajal in the buildup.

The game remained level for the initial 15 minutes of the second half. However, a moment of brilliance set the two teams apart as Carlo Ancelotti's squad pulled ahead. Kroos made up for the earlier mistake by delivering a cross that tempted Almería's new addition, Luís Maximiano, off his line. Bellingham capitalized on this, heading the ball into an empty net - marking his third goal for Real in just two games.

With slightly over 15 minutes left to play,Vini, with the help of a slight deflection, managed to surprise Maximiano. His shot from just inside the box reached the top-left corner, effectively sealing the points. It was a genius attempt and a perfect strike to round off the points.

We live in a new era, the era of Jude and Vini.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 2

Friday

Mallorca - Villarreal 0-1 (0-0)

/Moreno 62/

Valencia - Las Palmas 1-0 (0-0)

/Pepelu 74 pen/

Saturday

Real Sociedad - Celta Vigo 1-1 (1-0)

/Barrenetxea 22 - Mingueza 90+4/

Almeria - Real Madrid 1-3 (1-1)

/Arribas 3 - Bellingham 19, 60, Vinicius Jr. 73/

Osasuna - Athletic Club (in progress)

Sunday

20.00: (2.10) Girona (3.20) Getafe (4.20)

20.30: (1.25) Barcelona (6.50) Cadiz (14.0)

22.30: (4.00) Betis (3.50) Atl.Madrid (2.05)

Monday

20.00: (3.20) Alaves (3.20) Sevilla (2.50)

22.30: (2.75) Granada (3.10) Rayo Vallecano (2.95)

***odds are subject to change