Real Madrid 3-0 Braga: Los Blancos qualify for Champions League last-16 in style with Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jnr and Rodrygo all on target as Jude Bellingham is left on bench following shoulder injury
Real Madrid reached the knockout stages of the Champions League without the resting Jude Bellingham.
The England midfielder had scored three goals in his three European games, but Madrid managed three without him to comfortably beat Braga.
The first half belonged to two players who normally hardly appear on screen. Andriy Lunin didn’t know he was starting until Kepa Arrizabalaga complained of a muscle problem during the warm-up.
Practically his first task was to get a penalty after Lucas Vazquez pulled Cristian Borja back into the area. The Ukrainian keeper went the right way and saved Alvaro Djalo to keep the score at 0-0.
Brahim Diaz knew a little more than Lunin that he was going to play. There was no need to risk Bellingham’s recovering left shoulder, so the former Manchester City youngster started at the top of Real Madrid’s midfield position and he made the most of his opportunity.
Real Madrid has qualified in style for the eighth finals of the Champions League on its own pitch
He had the ball in the net after twelve minutes, but it was disallowed in the run-up due to a foul by Vinicius.
He was undeniable and he put Real Madrid ahead after 27 minutes when Ferland Mendy put Rodrygo behind Braga’s defense and his cross was turned in by Brahim for his second goal of the season. There was even a VAR screen celebration from him after his first attempt was disallowed.
In the second half, Madrid’s Brazilians took over. Vinicius made it two just before the hour mark. Fede Valverde played in Lucas Vazquez and Vinicius buried him in the corner for his second Champions League goal of the season.
And in the blink of an eye it was all over. This time Vinicius got the assist, but it was Rodrygo who started and finished the move.
Toni Kroos and Eduardo Camavinga combined to regain possession, but it was Rodrygo who deliberately carried the ball forward, exchanged passes with Vinicius and neatly clipped the ball over Matheus.
Rodrygo immediately went to hug Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach has always backed the 22-year-old, even this season when he was criticized for his performances and for scoring just two goals in La Liga.
“I wasn’t in a good moment, but he kept encouraging me,” he said after the win.
Lunin had the final say in Abel Ruiz’s late-night save with Braga’s last-ditch effort on target.
Bellingham was on the field at the end to congratulate Vinicius and Diaz. He hadn’t been needed during the ninety minutes. Madrid need just one point to top their group and then they can look forward to the knockout stages.
Thibaut Courtois was also seen on the sidelines. He hopes to be back in April. Madrid’s Champions League bandwagon is rolling again and he will be ready to jump on it, along with fellow long-term absentee Eder Militao, if they reach the final rounds.
Bellingham will be back long before that – on Saturday when Real Madrid look to return to the top of La Liga against Valencia.
