Real Madrid have booked their place in the last 16 of the Champions League after a solid 3-0 victory over Braga at the Santiago Bernabeu, which also continued their 100% record in this season’s competition.
2023/2024 UEFA Champions League
3-0
Match Report
Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to the side that drew with Rayo Vallecano, with one notable starter being Andriy Lunin. The Ukrainian replaced Kepa Arrizabalaga after he was injured in the warm-up, and he would make an immediate impact on the match.
Lucas Vazquez fouled Christian Borja in the area, which gave Braga the opportunity to take an early lead. However, Lunin dived to his right to push away Alvaro Djalo’s effort, much to the delight of his teammates and the home supporters.
Brahim Diaz, who has been something of a forgotten man for Los Blancos this season, opened the scoring for Real Madrid on the half hour mark. Rodrygo’s cutback was turned it by the 24-year-old for his second goal in two starts.
After the half time break, Real Madrid secured their victory. Vinicius Junior snapped a four-match scoreless run to make it 3-0, before setting up Rodrygo for a third a few minutes later.
The result keeps Real Madrid at the top of Group C, five points clear of Napoli, who they take on at the Bernabeu on MD5.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
6' Penalty Missed! (Álvaro Djaló)
13' Foul! Real Madrid’s goal disallowed
27' GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Braga (Brahim)
54' Brahim's shot stopped
58' GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Braga (Vinicius)
61' GOAL! Real Madrid 3-0 Braga (Rodrygo)
Line-ups
Real Madrid XI: Kroos, Nacho, Rudiger, Vazquez, F Mendy, Valverde, Brahim, Andriy Lunin, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga
Subs: Modric, Alaba, Joselu, Carvajal, Fran García, Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, Diego Piñeiro, Nico Paz
Braga XI: Fonte, Moutinho, Bruma, Matheus, Ricardo Horta, Cristián Borja, Vitor Carvalho, Víctor Gomez, Sikou Niakaté, Rodrigo Zalazar, Álvaro Djaló
Subs: Castro, Pizzi, Oliveira, Lopes, Marin, Musrati, Simon Banza, André Horta, Abel Ruiz, Lukas Hornicek, Serdar Saatçı, Joe Mendes