Real Madrid defeated Braga 2-1 in Portugal on Tuesday, thanks to goal from a beautiful opener from young Brazilian Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham’s brilliance in the game.
After an hour, England’s Bellingham made it 2-0 for Real following Rodrigo’s openers, and Carlo Ancelotti’s team held on after Alvaro Djalo drew one back for Braga.
The outcome puts Madrid in a great position, three points ahead of Napoli, who defeated Union Berlin 1-0 away in Germany, with the maximum nine points from three games in Group C.
Following a tentative start, Nacho freed Vinicius down the left flank, and the Brazilian took off with his unbeatable speed against Braga’s Serdar Saatci before setting up Rodrygo to give Madrid the lead on the half-hour mark.
Ten minutes before halftime, Rodrygo thought he had increased Madrid’s lead when he put the ball into an empty net, but Vinicius had strayed offside as Eduardo Camavinga played him in close to the halfway point.
In the 61st minute, Bellingham doubled Madrid’s advantage by striking the ball into the bottom corner from the edge of the area after Vinicius set him up.
Since joining Real from Borussia Dortmund ahead of this season, he has scored 11 goals in all competitions for Real, who have won the European Championship a record 14 times.
In the 82nd minute, Vinicius believed he had added a goal to his two assists, but the assistant referee’s flag disallowed him.
The 89th minute VAR review for a penalty was Braga’s last chance to equalize as Madrid fought valiantly to victory.
On November 8, the Spanish team will host Braga with the game as the second leg for between the two teams. Brago would have another Chance to show efforts in securing a spot in the round of 16.
Real Madrid’s next game will be away at Camp Nou against El Classico’s rival Barcelona on October 28.