With two group stage games left on the calendar, Real Madrid have already punched their ticket to the Champions League round of 16. A decisive 3-0 win over Braga on Wednesday, featuring goals from Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and Brahim Diaz, sealed the deal. Manager Carlo Ancelotti leaned on his squad depth by resting several starters, yet the team continued their winning streak to lead Group C with a maximum 12 points. A simple point against Napoli in their next home fixture would guarantee them the top seed. Napoli currently sits in second with seven points, while Braga follows in third. Union Berlin remains at the bottom of the group with only one point after playing out a 1-1 draw with Napoli.
Real Madrid sailed into the round of 16 of the Champions League with two group games remaining, thanks to goals from Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo on Wednesday. A dominant play helped Madrid to secure a comfortable 3-0 win over Portuguese side Braga on Wednesday. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti rested numerous regular starters, but the 14-time winners kept their perfect record, leading Group C with 12 points from four games. Madrid could clinch first place with a point at home in their next encounter with Napoli. The Italian champions are second on seven points, four ahead of third-placed Braga. Union Berlin is in last place with one point after a 1-1 tie with Napoli.
Madrid faced an early scare when Lucas Vazquez tripped Cristian Borja in the penalty area, handing Braga a golden opportunity. However, Andriy Lunin came to the rescue, saving Alvaro Djalo's penalty attempt. Following the save, Real Madrid immediately asserted their dominance, and Brahim Diaz gave them the lead in the 27th minute with a sharp, close-range strike.
The home side remained firmly in control, extending their lead in the 58th minute through a composed finish by Vinicius. Just three minutes later, Rodrygo put the game to bed with a sophisticated chip over the keeper. Earlier, in the 20th minute, Vazquez had been involved in a heavy challenge on Braga's Bruma inside the box. It was a risky moment that could have resulted in another penalty and a red card for Vazquez, had the referee decided to blow the whistle.
Fortunately for Madrid, the referee let Vazquez slide, allowing the team to dictate the pace of the match. Brahim Diaz, who had a previous goal disallowed due to a foul, eventually scored in the 27th minute, converting a low cross from Rodrygo. Diaz nearly added a second in the 55th minute, but he was denied by a pair of impressive reflex saves from Matheus.
Braga's keeper, Matheus, also managed to keep the score respectable by saving a long-range effort from Rodrygo. Despite this, Vinicius expanded the lead in the 58th minute by neatly finishing a low ball from Vazquez. Shortly after, Vinicius sparked a fast break and set up Rodrygo, who sealed the victory with a masterful lob over the goalkeeper.
In other news, Manchester United suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday after blowing a two-goal advantage. This collapse seriously jeopardizes United's hopes of progressing to the Champions League round of 16.