The Spanish giants, Real Madrid, effortlessly secured their place in the last 16 of the Champions League. They achieved this feat with two group games still to spare, demonstrating their dominance in the tournament. The match that sealed their advancement was against the Portuguese team, Braga, which took place on a Wednesday.
The victory was a decisive 3-0, leaving no room for doubt about Real Madrid’s superior performance. The credit for this triumphant win goes to the remarkable efforts of three players – Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr, and Rodrygo. Each of them found the back of the net, contributing to the team’s total score and ultimately leading to Braga’s defeat.
After the strategic move, Real Madrid’s manager, Carlo Ancelotti, decided to give some of the regular starters a break in their recent match. This included their top scorer, Jude Bellingham, who is currently dealing with a shoulder injury. Despite these changes in the lineup, the team’s performance did not falter.
Real Madrid, who have been crowned champions 14 times, continued to uphold their impeccable record. They have managed to win all their matches so far, maintaining a 100% record in the tournament. This flawless performance has put them at the top of Group C.
From their four games, they have amassed a total of 12 points, a testament to their consistent and high-level performance. This achievement is even more impressive considering the fact that they’ve managed to do so while resting key players, demonstrating the depth and versatility of their squad.
Real Madrid is on the brink of securing the top spot in their group. Their next match, which is a home game against Napoli, presents them with a golden opportunity to do so. They only need to secure a single point from this game to ensure their position at the pinnacle of their group.
This upcoming match is not just another game, but a potential turning point in their Champions League journey. A draw or a win against Napoli would be enough for Real Madrid to claim the top spot.
Playing at home adds an extra layer of advantage for Real Madrid. The familiar surroundings and the support of their home crowd could play a crucial role in their quest for that one point. As they gear up to face Napoli, the anticipation and excitement are undoubtedly at an all-time high.
The Champions League group is shaping up interestingly. The Italian champions are currently holding the second position with seven points to their name. They are trailing behind Real Madrid, but have managed to create a gap between themselves and the third-placed team, Braga, who have three points less.
Braga, with their tally of three points, are in a precarious position. They are four points behind the Italian champions and will need to step up their game if they wish to climb up the rankings.
At the bottom of the group, we find Union Berlin. They have managed to secure only one point so far. Their latest match against Napoli ended in a 1-1 draw, which took place earlier on the same day. This draw added a solitary point to their tally, but they remain at the bottom of the group.
In an unexpected turn of events, Andriy Lunin, the goalkeeper for Real, found himself thrust into the starting eleven at the last minute. This sudden change was necessitated by an injury that Kepa Arrizabalaga, the team’s regular goalkeeper, sustained during the warm-up. Despite the abrupt change, Lunin rose to the occasion with commendable composure.
One of the key moments of the match came when Alvaro Djalo, from the opposing team, was awarded a penalty kick. With the pressure mounting, Djalo stepped up to the spot. However, his attempt lacked the power and precision usually expected in such high-stakes situations. It was a weak effort that did little to challenge Lunin.
Lunin, demonstrating his goalkeeping prowess, was quick to react. He extended his palms and deflected Djalo’s shot, denying the opposition a crucial goal. This moment not only highlighted Lunin’s skill and readiness but also underscored the importance of every team member’s ability to adapt and perform under unforeseen circumstances.
The 20th minute of the match saw a moment of high tension. Real’s Vazquez, known for his aggressive style of play, launched into a hard challenge on Braga’s winger, Bruma. The incident took place inside the box, a critical area where any misstep could have significant consequences.
The intensity of Vazquez’s challenge led to an uproar among the Braga players. They vehemently argued that it was a clear penalty against Real. If the referee had agreed with Braga’s players, it could have resulted in a second yellow card for Vazquez, further complicating the situation for Real.
Despite the heated moment, Vazquez was spared from further punishment, and the game continued without a penalty being awarded. This decision allowed Real to regain their footing and take control of the match.
Diaz had previously seen one of his goals disallowed due to a foul in the build-up. However, he didn’t let this setback deter him. In the 27th minute, Diaz found himself in the perfect position to score. Rodrygo, assisted Diaz with a precise low cross.
Seizing the opportunity, Diaz executed a first-time strike from close range. His swift and accurate shot found its way into the back of the net, marking the opening goal of the match.
In the 55th minute of the match, Diaz, who had already made his mark with the opening goal, found himself in a promising position to extend Real’s lead. He was in close range of the goal. With the goalpost in his sights, Diaz launched a double-effort attack, hoping to outmaneuver the opposition’s defense.
However, Braga’s goalkeeper, Matheus, displaying remarkable agility and quick reflexes, Matheus managed to thwart Diaz’s attempts not once, but twice.
Despite being in a high-pressure situation, Matheus successfully denied Diaz the opportunity to extend Real’s lead.
In a thrilling encounter, Matheus showcased his exceptional skills. He made a crucial save, stopping a powerful strike from Rodrygo right at the edge of the box. This pivotal moment played a significant role in keeping Braga’s hopes alive in the game.
However, the tide turned in the 58th minute of the match. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr managed to double the lead for his team. The sequence leading to the goal was a display of excellent teamwork and precision. Vazquez, with his keen vision and accuracy, delivered a low cross towards Vinicius Jr.
Vinicius Jr, collected the pass effortlessly. He was positioned inside the box, a strategic location that gave him the advantage. With a swift and clean strike, he sent the ball sailing into the net, marking a tidy finish.
A mere three minutes after Vinicius Jr’s goal, the game witnessed another exhilarating moment. Vinicius Jr, initiated a swift counter-attack, displaying his versatility on the field.
He spotted Rodrygo, in a promising position. With a precise pass, he played the ball into Rodrygo’s path. Rodrygo, seizing the opportunity, displayed his exceptional skills. He executed a brilliant chip shot over the goalkeeper, an audacious move that paid off spectacularly.
The ball sailed over the goalkeeper’s outstretched hands and nestled into the back of the net. This goal not only secured the result for their team but also highlighted the Brazilian duo’s significant contribution to the game.
Rodrygo, the star player of the match, shared his joy and satisfaction in a post-match interview with Movistar Plus. He expressed,
Rodrygo was named man of the match in the meeting between Real Madrid and Braga by the UEFA observers panel.
The Brazilian set up Brahim for the opener, before scoring a delightful chip himself to make it 3-0 to our team. Following the final whistle, the Brazilian reflected:… pic.twitter.com/M7HsrM7mgw
— NaijaMadrid || 🤍🇳🇬 (@NaijaMadrid) November 9, 2023
“The truth is that I am delighted. It was a perfect game, three goals, we didn’t concede… I’m happy for the goal, the assist and, of course, for the win and the qualification, which was the most important thing,”
“We have a lot of quality in our squad that is so deep. If we have a good day, it’s difficult to prevent us from scoring. Today went very well and we hope it continues like this for the next games.”
Rodrygo humility and team-first attitude were evident as he emphasized the importance of the win and the qualification over his personal accomplishments. His performance in the match was exceptional, earning him the well-deserved title of ‘Man of the Match’.
ALSO READ | Erling Haaland scores twice as Manchester City secure their place in the Champions League last 16