Real Madrid advanced to the last 16 of the Champions League by defeating Barga 3-0. With two group games remaining, thanks to goals from Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr., and Rodrygo on Wednesday
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti rested several regular starters, including top scorer Jude Bellingham, who was out with a shoulder injury, but the 14-time champions maintained their perfect record, leading Group C with 12 points from four games.
With a point against Napoli at home in their upcoming match, they might guarantee the top spot.
With seven points, the Italian champions are four ahead of Braga in third place. Union Berlin’s 1-1 draw with Napoli earlier on Wednesday has left them bottom with one point.
In the fourth minute, Lucas Vazquez gave Real Madrid a scare when he brought Braga defender Cristian Borja inside the area, resulting in a penalty.
But Alvaro Djalo’s shoddy attempt from the spot was palmed away by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who was a last-minute addition to Real Madrid’s starting eleven because of an injury sustained by Kepa Arrizabalaga during the warm-up.
Braga players strongly objected to Vazquez’s challenge on winger Bruma inside the box in the 20th minute, which may have resulted in another penalty for Real and a second yellow card if the referee ruled it was an infraction.
Nevertheless, Real took over the game after he was released. In the 27th minute, Rodrygo’s low cross aided Diaz in scoring his first goal of the game from close range. Diaz had previously had a goal disallowed for a foul in the buildup.
In the 55th minute, Diaz had a chance to double their lead, but Matheus, the custodian, made two quick saves in a row to save the Spanish midfielder’s double effort from close range.
To keep Braga in the match, Matheus also denied a goal from Rodrygo from the edge of the box. However, in the 58th minute, Vinicius Jr. increased the lead by neatly finishing from inside the box after collecting a low cross from Vazquez.
After a counterattack initiated by Vinicius three minutes later, his countryman Rodrygo scored a spectacular chip over the custodian to seal the victory.
At the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, with the game level 0-0 early on, Lunin had to dive to his right to stop Álvaro Djaló’s penalty kick. Kepa was forced to skip the match due to what appeared to be a muscular injury sustained during warmups. In stoppage time, Lunin produced a fantastic save to ensure Madrid maintained a clean sheet.
After that, Braga welcomes Union Berlin before travelling to Italy to play Napoli. Madrid’s group campaign ends against Union Berlin, and it next hosts Napoli.
Braga has finished both of its prior campaigns at the group stage. It began the competition this year in the third qualifying round.
“To be honest, I’m thrilled. With three goals and no goals conceded, it was the ideal game. Man of the Match Rodrygo said to Movistar Plus, “I’m happy for the goal, the assist, and, of course, for the win and the qualification, which was the most important thing.”
“We have a really talented and deep squad. It’s hard to stop us from scoring if we have a good day. We hope that today’s excellent performance carries over into the upcoming games.”
