Real Madrid secured their spot in the Champions League last 16 with a 3-0 victory over Braga, maintaining a perfect record, as Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo Goes found the net in the absence of rested top goalscorer Jude Bellingham.
Record 14-time winners Real Madrid swanned into the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday with a comfortable 3-0 win over Braga to maintain their 100 per cent record.
Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes were on target for the Spanish giants, who sealed progress from Group C even without rested top goalscorer Jude Bellingham.
Brazilian wingers Vinicius and Rodrygo have been criticized for their lack of goals this season and both responded with classy finishes to help send their team through after Diaz opened the scoring. Madrid have four wins from four games, leading the group on 12 points ahead of Napoli, second on seven after a 1-1 draw with bottom team Union Berlin.
Madrid have now reached the knock-out phase in 26 consecutive editions of the tournament.
“It tells me that Real Madrid have done better than others in this competition, because getting through the group is not always that simple,” coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.
“We are very happy to reach the last 16, but it doesn’t mean we’re going to switch off in the last two games because for us, all Champions League games are there to show our best level in.” — AFP
