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Article continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="betting-e2">{"type":"betting-e2","data":{"key":{"mobile":"fb9f812b41240655c161bb3d4ad2cf3f","desktop":"671024543858da3e0dfea5d9450ab1a4"}}}</script>Article continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Union Berlin beaten by Madrid</li><li>Aaronson came on in second half</li><li>USMNT man unable to influence match</li></ul>Union Berlin made a strong impression in their first ever appearance in the Champions League, despite losing 1-0.Coming up against the kings of the competition in the Santiago Bernabeu in their debut was a massive task, but the visitors held tight and came excruciatingly close to earning a point.After handling the immense pressure from the Spanish side for 90 minutes, the visitors' hopes were destroyed by Jude Bellingham, whose wonderful start to life in Madrid continued with his sixth goal for the club right at the death.The goal will come as a devastating blow to Union Berlin, who had done so well to keep the score level until stoppage time, but they can take a lot of pride from the performance.Among those who dug in and came close to pulling off a historic upset was Aaronson, who came on in the second half and looked lively for the visitors, but it was not to be for the USMNT man and his co-stars.

What a painful ending! Brenden Aaronson and Union Berlin team-mates have hopes of pulling off historic result at Real Madrid dashed by late Jude Bellingham goal

The Leeds loanee came on midway through the second half, replacing Aissa Laidouni. Aaronson almost got a sniff at goal when Berlin managed to whip it into the box in a rare venture forward, but Madrid managed to clear the danger.Laidouni had been active for the visitors until his replacement, getting a decent amount of touches, though his passing was certainly not good enough. Aaronson, meanwhile, was lively as soon as he came on, always looking to rush forward but holding his position as his side tried to soak up the pressure from the dominant hosts.He was energetic and moved into space to receive a pass as he looked to instigate an attack for Berlin, but there were not many forward options as Madrid marked the Berlin players well. The American appeared to have a chance of creating something outside of the home team's box but he fell under the challenge from Toni Kroos.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Considering the strength of the opponent, Aaronson looked bright for Berlin despite not being able to create any direct threat on Kepa Arrizabalaga's goal.Given he has started just one of the five matches in which he has featured for the Bundesliga side, he will hope that he was lively and a positive enough figure to convince Urs Fischer to give him another chance in the first 11.The pressure is on him to prove his worth in the German top-flight, especially after he was sent off with two yellow cards in just his second match of the season for Berlin.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Aaronson came off the bench in both of the recent international friendlies against Uzbekistan and Oman and he will be hoping to convince Gregg Berhalter that he is worthy of a chance in the starting XI for next month's matches against Germany and Ghana.He showed some positive signs against a strong opponent but it will require consistency, a regular starting spot and a lot more strength on the ball if he is to succeed in his battle to become a key figure for the national team.

USMNT IMPACT

Brenden Aaronson (6/10):The 22-year-old tried his best to get on the ball in the 25 minutes or so that he was on the field. He tracked back, made himself available for passes and tried to move the ball on to boost Berlin's chances of threatening the Spanish giants before the game's heartbreaking conclusion.

GOAL'S RATINGS

After their exhausting clash at the Santiago Bernabeu, the German side will return their attention to the Bundesliga as they take on Hoffenheim on Saturday, and Aaronson will hope Fischer will trust him to start.

WHAT COMES NEXT?

What a painful ending! Brenden Aaronson and Union Berlin team-mates have hopes of pulling off historic result at Real Madrid dashed by late Jude Bellingham goal | Goal.com South Africa

Brenden Aaronson was among the Union Berlin stars who came painfully close to earning a historic point against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

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