- Real Madrid sailed past Braga by a score of 3-0 to qualify
- Diaz, Vinicius, and Rodrygo scored the goals that sealed an easy win
- Four consecutive European victories by Ancelotti’s team has taken them to the knockout stage.
Real Madrid has qualified for the Champions League knockout rounds with an easy 3-0 win over Braga.
Andriy Lunin saved Alvaro Djalo’s tame spot-kick, a chance for Braga to get an early advantage in the Spanish capital. Real Madrid responded and took the lead after 27 minutes when Brahim Diaz converted Rodrygo’s cutback. The hosts went into the half with a 1-goal advantage.
Vinicius Junior doubled Madrid’s lead following the half, neatly finishing off a clever move inside the penalty box. Rodrygo made it three minutes later, by chipping Matheus after Vinicius’ lovely through ball. Braga could not find any kind of response.
This is how the game played out
Champions League Visitors to the Santiago Bernabeu seldom get better chances to shock the Real Madrid fans than Braga had after only six minutes. Lucas Vazquez received a penalty for an unnecessary pull inside the box. Djalo, however, missed the opportunity to give the Portuguese team the lead from 12 yards. Lunin then ruled the penalty out.
Vazquez, who tripped Bruma inside the penalty box after 20 minutes of play, was fortunate to not concede another corner kick. However Halil Meler’s VAR team and referee Halil decided that there had been no foul. Federico Valverde nearly scored the first goal for Madrid a half-minute after that, but his volley was unable to stay under the crossbar.
Real Madrid finally punished Braga for their early missed penalty just before the midway point of the first half. Ferland Mendy split the defence with his pass, finding Rodrygo behind the visitors’ defence. The Brazilian cut back to Diaz who lifted the ball into the ceiling of the goal from close quarters.
Matheus saved Rodrygo’s effort just before halftime as Madrid probed the Braga defense. The hosts were unable to get a goal advantage in the second half despite their efforts.
Andriy Lunin saved Alvaro Djalo’s early penalty / Thomas COEX/Getty Images
After the half, Diaz’s quick feet continued to terrorise Braga’s defence. The Spaniard saw a well-saved shot by Matheus, before the rebound was blocked. Rodrygo had a similar effort saved by the Brazilian goalkeeper.
Madrid eventually managed to earn a second goal on 58. Vazquez provided Vinicius Junior with a low shot into the corner of the goal.
Rodrygo finished a vicious counterattack in just minutes with a chipped pass from Vinicius. Both Brazilians combined brilliantly to end the match, and Braga needed a miracle to make a comeback.
The Portuguese team did not achieve a miracle, as Madrid continued to challenge Braga’s defence even though they took their foot of the pedal. Final score: 3 points for the hosts, who qualified from Group C with a 4th straight Champions League victory.
Real Madrid Player Ratings (4-3-1-2).
Eduardo Camavinga dominated in the midfield. / Soccrates images/GettyImages
Andriy Lunin, GK – 8/10 – Kept Madrid in the game with a penalty save early on. Reaching low to his left to block Djalo’s shot. The Ukrainian was left with little to do, but he did show his calmness when in possession.
Lucas Vazquez, RB – 5/10 Idiotic penalty conceded early and lucky to not give another away 15 minutes later. He could have been in serious trouble, but his teammates saved him.
CB Nacho 7/10 A solid but not outstanding performance, and with less work to do the longer the match lasted.
Antonio Rudiger, CB – 7/10 Rudiger was struggling in the first half hour. Braga’s performance waned as the game progressed.
Ferland Mendy, LB – 6/10 The odd forward foray but did not do much to complement the attack. The defence is strong, but rarely tested.
Toni Kroos, CM – 6/10 Toni Kroos’ characteristically crisp passing is evident throughout. It was not his most impressive performance. Valverde, and Camavinga did the heavy lifting.
Eduardo Camavinga, CM – 8/10 He is a natural in the middle and uses his strength to control central areas. A graceful footballer.
Federico Valverde, CM – 8/10The definition of an attacking box-tobox midfielder. He was always on the move to help out in attack. In a dominant display, Valverde barely missed a step.
Brahim Diaz, AM – 8/10 Madrid’s most dangerous threat in the first-half. His quick feet and turns were impressive. A well-taken strike capped an excellent performance.
Rodrygo, 8/10 – Quieted some critics at the Bernabeu with an outstanding performance. After a superb first touch, he ducked over Braga’s goalkeeper to score the goal that Diaz scored. The visitors were constantly troubled by his lively play.
Vinicius Junior – 8/10 Wasn’t at his best during the first halves but he definitely improved. In the second period, he was excellent. He scored a beautiful goal and set up Rodrygo with a through-ball that was incredibly accurate. Braga’s backline was terrorised.
Substitutes
Sub: Luka Modric (74 ‘for Diaz) 6/10
Dani Carvajal SUB (74′ Vazquez) 6/10
Sub: Joselu (77′ in place of Rodrygo) 6/10
SUB: Nicolas Paz (77′ for Valverde) – 6/10
SUB: Fran Garcia (84′ for Mendy) – N/A
Subs not used: Pineiro (GK), Alaba, Bellingham, Guler.
