Real Madrid - Braga, summary: Rodrygo, score, goals & highlights | Champions League

That's all, folks!

Thanks for following the live coverage of the game as Real Madrid swept aside a brave Braga side.

Joe

The Brazilian attackers were in fine form tonight:

Here's how Sofascore rate the two wingers, who put on a show for the fans at the Bernabéu!

Rodrygo, MVP of the game:

I'm very happy, it was a perfect game. We scored three goals and played well.

I'm happy to have scored and assisted, as well as the qualification, which is the most important thing.

I hugged Ancelotti to thank him, I wasn't in a good place but the manager always supported me and I had the obligation to score and thank him afterwards.

We have a lot of quality, it's difficult for us not to score. We always try to improve and we hope it can help us in the upcoming games.

The Lunin change shows the strength of our squad. Lunin always trains and he was ready to play.

FULL-TIME!

Real Madrid are through to the knockout round of the Champions League!

WHAT A SAVE FROM LUNIN!

Lunin catches Mendes' cross from the right as the home side continue to run down the clock.

Real Madrid are seeing this out as you might expect: they're not concerned with the away team having the ball but the press has not quite dropped off fully, with Joselu and Vini still chasing down the centre-backs.

3 added minutes.

We're into the final minute of normal time.

Borja heads out for a corner as Vini's chipped ball to the far post was aimed at Joselu and looked dangerous.

Nico Paz skips past a challenge on the edge of the box and the ball almost sits up for him to shoot, but he lays off left towards Fran García, whose cross is blocked.

Vinicius is still screaming at his teammates to join in with the press on their defence: he wants more goals!

Nacho cuts out a decent Braga cross from the left. The Portuguese side have had the wind kicked out of them but their talent is still there to create chances on certain occasions. 

Fran García ON

Mendy OFF

Vini steps over the ball once, twice, three times on the wing before playing down the line to Mendy, who can't quite get on the end of it and the pass rolls out of play.

Mendes sends in a cross from the right, more in hope than anything else, and Lunin strays off his line to catch with two huge hands.

We've got ten minutes of normal time to go as Madrid probe the Braga defence for any holes in which they can attack. It's a calm feeling coming from the pitch, as the side know that with a win, they're through to the knockout round with 2 games to go.

Braga are having a lot of the ball but it's Real Madrid's choice as they are comfortable to a) see out the game; and b) counter them furiously at any opportunity.

Joselu & Nico Paz ON

Valverde & Rodrygo OFF

Banza & A Horta ON

Bruma & Djaló OFF

Al Musrati tries his luck from distance but the strike is weak and Lunin gets down easily to stop the effort on goal.

Nico Paz is going to make his Real Madrid debut.

Real Madrid have moved into a 4-3-3 with Rodrygo up front, Valverde on the right and Vini on the left. Modric, Kroos and Camavinga are the midfield three.

Brahim got a standing ovation from the entire stadium as he left the pitch.

Modric & Carvajal ON

Lucas Vázquez & Brahim OFF

Both Modric and Carvajal have been waiting to come on for around 10 minutes now...

Vinicius gets down the left and cuts back to Valverde but his shot from the edge of the box is blocked by a gaggle of blue shirts.

The Brazilian attacks again down his favoured wing, slipping past his marker and it looks like he's finally having fun on the pitch.

Twenty minutes to go. Real Madrid are clearly trying to play on the counter attack and give the Brazilians + Brahim as much spaceaspossible.

Braga are having a positive spell of possession as Madrid naturally drop off... Los Blancos remain solid in their defensive block.

Mendes, Abel, Al Musrati ON

V Gómez, Zalazar, Horta OFF

Real Madrid are preparing substitutes...

Real Madrid are in party mode!

Every attack feels like three goals!

I don't know how many players joined in with the latest effort on goal, but it was a showing of incredible levels of confidence to tap the ball around various challenges from Braga defenders before Rodrygo got bored, slipped past his marker and cracked a shot into the side of goal.

RODRYGO INTO THE SIDE NETTING

What a goal!

Madrid counter at a furious pace with Rodrygo, who plays left to Vinicius. The wingers burst up the pitch and Rodrygo receives the ball back on the penalty spot. He takes it to the right and clips a sensational chipped effort over Matheus, who is caught in the void between two universes.

Back underway. Carlo was happy with that one.

Fede plays down the line as Madrid come forward. Lucas picks up the ball and squares to Vini, who stops the ball just 6 yards out. The winger takes a touch on his right foot before sliding low into the far corner. A delightfully taken goal from the player who, you might say, needed to put one in the net.

Matheus gets down well to stop a long-range effort from Rodrygo. The Brazilian took the ball from Rüdiger on halfway and drive diagonally towards the right before unleashing a thunderbolt that was well stopped.

Rodrygo broke through Braga's midfield and played a through ball to Vinicius who squared to Brahim, just a few yards out.

It was a delightful move through the middle and Matheus saved Brahim's shot with a fantastically strong arm high into the air before stopping the rebound smashed towards him from the Spaniard.

Follow the game...

HUGE SAVE FROM MATHEUS

Fede Valverde's header is deflected over after a poor cross from Vinicius.

Nothing is coming off for the Brazilian while Brahim and Rodrygo continue to dominate their opposite numbers. 

Braga defend easily in the end but it's utterly delightful work from Brahim, who takes the ball in his own half from Kroos and squirms his way through the opposition's midfield line before laying off to the left. Mendy crosses in but it's cleared away by Niakaté.

Back underway and Camavinga is back on the pitch with everything intact.

The Frenchman is hobbling off the pitch but it looks like he'll continue.

It looks like he took a kick to the, erm, lower abdomen. 

Camavinga is down with an injury...

Despite Madrid's pressure, Braga are very comfortable with the ball at the back. They work it well through the thirds and the move ends with a weka shot from Bruma that's saved well by Lunin.

Nacho heads towards goal and Matheus catches the effort!

Real Madrid win a corner instantly after Ferland Mendy makes his way down the left before playing to Vinicius Jr, who is shoved over and the ball rolls out.

Second half underway!

Real Madrid get us going at an increasingly chilly Bernabéu...

The players are back on the pitch for the second half!

Almost ready to go!

Half-time scores around Europe:

Here's how things look in the other games tonight.

Brahim proving himself on his big night

We said pre-game that it was going to be a huge occasion for the ex-Manchester City player, and he's certainly showing that he can make an impact as part of this Madrid side. 

A Real-ly bad pun from the Madrid admin...

Given how long the forward has waited for a start and a goal, I guess we can let this slide.

Rodrygo the star so far...

The Brazilian has looked in fantastic form tonight and has been Real Madrid's biggest threat in front of goal, getting the assist for Brahim's strike. 

It's been a while since we've seen the winger look so threatening, and I must say it's a delight watching him play when he's on his A game.

Half-time thoughts:

A crazy half of football in which it took Madrid a while to get settled. An earlypenalty was given away by Lucas who set the tone of nervousness for both sides. 

A late change into the side, Lunin saved the penalty after 7 minutes but it wasn't plain sailing just yet, as Braga continued to press and play at times attractive football throughout the thirds.

But slowly Madrid started to creep into the game and turn the screw: Brahim and Rodrygo sent the defenders spinning with various runs in behind and before long Brahim had the ball in the net, only to be ruled out offside. 

A few minutes later, after another fantastic run from Rodrygo, he scored again, this time the goal going up on the scoreboard. From then on, it's been fairly comfortable from Real Madrid.

Half-time!

Brahim's goal is the difference in an intense half of football filled with drama.

Rodrygo's shot hits a defender and Madrid want a penalty... The Brazilian looks back to his best tonight and is getting where water can't.

2 added minutes.

A simply stunning interception from Rüdiger stops Djaló who may well have had flames coming out of the bottom of his boots as he scorched away from Mendy at left-back on halfway. It was a fantastic run down the right wing and Rüdiger chose his moment to perfection, stepping in just as Djaló entered the six-yard box with Lunin's goal in his sights.

Another chance wasted by Vinicius, who can't aim his cross through the closing gap between two defenders. Rodrygo was alone in the box...

Real Madrid step up the pressure and go at Braga's defence, testing their solidity. Rodrygo gets in behind the centre back on Madrid's left side and smashes a low drive at Matheus, which he stops well.

SAVE FROM MATHEUS

5 minutes to go in the first half. Since the opening moments, Real Madrid have been a lot more solid in defence and have kept Braga at bay.Valverde is doing a great job of helping Lucas contain Bruma at the back.

Zalazar finds space on the edge of the Real Madrid box and tests his luck, firing a long-range effort way over Lunin's goal.

A huge chance goes begging for Real Madrid after an incredibly long spell of possession. Vinicius spun after receiving from Rodrygo and, with Brahim racing down the left, the winger takes the ball the opposite way into traffic and eventually gets crowded out.

Camavinga appreciation message. He's quite possibly my favourite palyer to watch at the moment.

And he's just signed a new deal at Madrid until 2029.

REAL MADRID-BRAGA

Possession: 55-45

Shots: 5-3

Shotsontarget: 2-1

Now it's Brahim who is brought down, this time by left-back Borja close to the corner flag on the right side.

The movement from Real Madrid's forwards is causing problems for the away side who look like they're trying to keep a gang of excitable kittens from running in opposite directions.

Rodrygo is brought down by Zalazar on the right side of the box, close to the touchline. The Brazilian is scurrying everywhere tonight and looks very comfortable being a top-class nuisance for the Braga defenders.

Half an hour gone and Real Madrid have finally taken control of the game, it seems. The fans are certainly a lot happier, and are going through the greatest hits as I type.

Back underway...

Mendy plays a delightful ball through the Braga defence towards Rodrygo who made a superb run in behind. The winger takes the ball on the left side of the pitch and drives towards goal.

Brahim, who is making a run into the box, receives the square pass from his teammate as Braga defenders scramble back and he smashes home from close range!

AND THIS ONE WILL COUNT!!!!

The Brazilian collected the ball on the left and skipped inside on his right foot before seeing his shot deflected wide from inside the box.

VINI GOES CLOSE FOR REAL MADRID

Silly fouls from both sides in the middle third do little to calm the tension that has built up inside the ground due to the madness we've seen so far.

Madness at the Bernabéu and Ancelotti does not look happy, sitting there on the bench with his arms crossed and both eyebrows observing the game intensely.

Follow the game...

OK, let me explain...

Madrid took a poor corner that was cleared by Braga, and Bruma shot up the pitch before twisting and turning, sending Rüdiger falling to the floor inside the box. Lucas raced back and clumsily pushed over the forward, but the referee said no penalty.

Real Madrid collected the ball and countered the counter with a typical Fede run through the middle. He played wide to Vini who sent the ball into the box and the Uruguayan, who had carried on his run, smashed the volley over from a few yards out.

FEDE FIRES OVER FROM THE COUNTER

A huge penalty shout for Braga!!!!

It's a training ground routine from a set-piece that works well to confuse the Madrid defenders who don't handle a chipped ball over the top. Vini doesn't follow his man and the ball is played across goal with Rüdiger slicing away at the last minute.

Nervy defending from the home side who are allowing Braga to do pretty much whatever they like.

BRAGA CHANCE

Braga are playing some nice stuff in the middle third as Real Madrid can't decide whether to stand off or go at them. They choose the former option, probably aware that leaving space ahead of Lucas, Rüdiger, Nacho and Mendy isn't the most sensible option.

Just the thirteen million incidents so far, then...

Real Madrid's press was good and Fede Valverde had tackled Fonte on the edge of his defensive area.

The ball landed with Vini on the penalty spot, but his touch wasn't great and he tripped a defender as Brahim collected the ball and slotted underneath Matheus.

RULED OUT!!!

Brahim had slid off to the left in celebration but when he turned round the referee had blown for a foul in the buildup.

We're back underway and both players are up and OK.

Braga race up the other end and win a corner. It's sent in towards Niakaté, who clashes heads with Valverde and the pair go down.

Replays show that there was slight contact between the defender and Rodrygo's knee, but I don't think there was enough to give a penalty, if I'm honest.

Madrid broke well and the Brazilian spun nicely into the box. A lightning start to the tie.

Rodrygo goes down in the box! Madrid want a penalty!

The atmosphere inside the stadium is electric! Safe to say the fans enjoyed that one!

Djaló went low to his left and Lunin got a huge arm down to the ball!

LUNIN SAVES!!!!!

A big moment for Lunin!

It was Braga's first attempt at getting into the box, and Lucas allowed Borja to slip in behind him down the wing. The Madrid defender didn't complain...

Lucas Vázquez booked for a shirt pull on Borja as he entered the box!

PENALTY TO BRAGA!!!!

Real Madrid are controlling the possession in the opening minutes and have made a few tentative entries into the Braga box, but the Portuguese side have defended well so far.

Real Madrid are playing a 4-4-2 with Fede Valverde on the right and Brahim on the left; the Vini + Rodrygo partnership is up top.

And the game's stopped after 6 seconds following a clash of heads between Bruma and Mendy.

And we're off!

The away side get us going from right to left.

The players are on the pitch!

The Chaaaampioooons song (that's the official name, right?) rings around the famous stadium, with serious faces all round from the 22 players.

The Braga fans are in fine voice!

Over 4,000 Braga fans have made the journey down to the Spanish capital and they're making a great noise inside the stadium ahead of kick-off.

The Real Madrid players have made their way out of the dressing room and into the tunnel of the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

Real Madrid's club anthem rings out around the stadium

Given the Napoli 1-1 Union Berlin result, a draw for Los Blancos will see them get through to the knockout stages. 

A reminder of the starting XIs:

If you've just joined us, then welcome!

REAL MADRID:

Lunin

Lucas - Rüdiger - Nacho - Mendy

Camavinga - Fede - Kroos

Brahim

Vini Jr - Rodrygo

BRAGA

Matheus

Gómez - Niakaté - Fonte - Borja

Moutinho - Carvalho - Zalazar

Bruma - Horta - Djaló

Napoli 1-1 Union Berlin

That draw comes as great news for Real Madrid, who will end the match day top tonight whatever the result and a draw will see them through. 

As for Braga, it puts them within 4 points of second place.

Fifteen minutes to go!

Kepa's injury has not done anything to cool the atmosphere inside the Santiago Bernabéu, as the fans are full of noise and excitement to see their team!

REAL MADRID BREAKING NEWS

Kepa has suffered an injury in the warmup and Lunin will replace him in the starting XI.

Group C goal news:

Union Berlin are currently level with Napoli after a goal from Fofana. This draw, if it happens - there are less than 10 minutes to go - would see Union Berlin get their first points on the board in this edition of the UEFA Champions League and it would be a huge opportunity missed for Napoli in Group C.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Braga vs Real Madrid, summary: Bellingham, score, goals & highlights | Champions League 2023/24

These two teams came up against each other very recently in the Champions League. They played back on October 24 in northern Portugal at Braga’s incredibly picturesque stadium, wedged in between a mountain, as though accidentally dropped there by the gods.

Real Madrid were put under pressure by the home side during the tie, but a goal each from Rodrygo and Bellingham gave them an eventual win over their opponents, who got one back soon after the Englishman and gave Madrid a good scare.

Real Madrid will undoubtedly feel more comfortable playing at home today, but given Braga’s position in the group they will have nothing to lose and could well go all-out-mayhem-mode to scare the spirits out of Los Blancos. That scenario, although unlikely, could be incredibly fun to watch.

Braga team news in!

We've got the Braga team news from Artur Jorge and he has made 4 changes to the XI that lost at home, with Victor Gómez, José Fonte, Bruma and João Moutinho all coming in for the game at the Santiago Bernabéu.

REAL MADRID

The curious Jude Bellingham tattoo

While we're waiting for the Braga team news, I urge you with all the honesty in the world to check out this tattoo of Jude Bellingham.

Well, at least I think it's Jude Bellingham...

The teams arrive at the Santiago Bernabéu!!

Both squads have parked the bus at the Bernabéu car park and are getting ready to step out onto the pitch for the pre-game warmups.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Real Madrid vs Braga: times, how to watch on TV and stream online | Champions League

Watch the match side by side with the live coverage so you can be double-extra sure you know just what’s going on. Here’s all the information you need on how to do that, put together just for you.

An hour to go!

The excitement is building around the Bernabéu as the photos emerge of the dressing rooms being prepared. Braga will be playing in their very smart navy kit while Real Madrid, as you might expect, are in all white.

A big night for Brahim

The players who are not playing always seem like the solution, and after the game against Rayo, which Real Madrid drew 0-0 at home, the calls to see Brahim in the side were tremendous.

Social media is not a barometer of what the average José on the street thinks, but personally I couldn't move last week for screams, cries and hissy fits over why the ex-Manchester City substitute was not lumped onto the pitch in an effort to break the Rayo deadlock.

Anyway, he's got his chance tonight and in a position which, on paper, should suit him. If he plays just behind the strikers as suggested, Brahim will have the freedom to float around and shoot from distance, as well as get into the box to score. It's a big night for the 24-year-old, who could stake a claim to weave his way into Ancelotti's thoughts for future starting XIs.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Who is Halil Umut Meler, the referee for Real Madrid vs Braga in the Champions League?

Who's the ref?

You referee-hunters out there in the world will be pleased to know you can tick off Halil Umut Melerfrom your Official Referee Spotter's Guide today, as the Turk has been put in charge of a Real Madrid game for the first time in his career.

If you’re a Turkish Super Lig fan, you’ve probably already got his sticker in the album, as he’s been FIFA listed since 2017 and a UEFA Elite referee since 2022.

Half-time scores on the doors....

La Real are flying against Portuguese opposition and are doing exactly what Real Madrid hope to achieve tonight against Benfica's league rivals.

As for Napoli, their disallowed goal didn't put them in the mud and they're ahead of Union Berlin, temporarily placing them joint top of Real Madrid's group.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Have Real Madrid ever failed to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds?

A win tonight at the Santiago Bernabéu would see Real Madrid qualify for the knockout rounds of the Champions League once again.

Qualification would add to their streak of getting through the group and reaffirm their status as one of Europe's top teams in history. 

Here's a question: can you remember a time when Real Madrid didn't make it out of the group? There was a streak when their luck ran out at the Round of 16, but failing to get the second round?

Have a think, test your knowledge and check out the answer, see if you got it right.

Braga fans take over Madrid!

The Portuguese fans have made the 500km journey to the Spanish capital and it's looks like they're having a fantastic time in the city!

In other Group C news...

Napoli have just had a goal ruled out against Union Berlin in the other match taking place in Group C. A win for the Italians would temporarily put them ahead of Real Madrid and pile the pressure on the Spanish side to win tonight.

Real Madrid's expected system:

So, let's take a look at what we've got from Carlo:

Kepa is in goal with a back four of Lucas, Rüdiger, Nacho and Mendy.

In front of them sit Camavinga, at the base of the midfield.

We have Kroos and Valverde in the middle as well, with Brahim playing 'the Bellingham role'. 

Vini Jr and Rodrygo will start up top in what looks on paper like a 4-3-1-2.

Real Madrid XI revealed:

No Jude Bellingham in Real Madrid's XI as the Englishman is only deemed fit enough to make the bench.

How the table looks:

After 3 games and now halfway through the group stage, it’s Real Madrid who sit at the top of the group with 9 from 9 and a 100% record.

The 14-time champions are yet to slip up in the continental competition and a point today would see them guarantee a place in the knockout rounds. Ahem, we said the same about Barcelona yesterday. 

As for Braga, they need to get themselves into gear and catch up on Napoli, starting today. Madrid’s Portuguese opponents have just one win so far, which came against Brenden Aaronson’s Union Berlin, who might have one of the worst losing streaks in Europe.

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Will Jude Bellingham play today for Real Madrid against Braga in the Champions League?

Of course, dear reader, I was missing Jude Bellingham. Yes, Real Madrid’s new talisman appeared to suffer a shoulder/arm injury in the recent draw against their city rivals, but was miraculously able to complete 90 minutes and has made it onto the squad list for the game.

Carlo Ancelotti said he would speak to both Jude and the club doctors today to determine whether or not the player could feature, so we’ll have to wait and see.

As usual, with Carlo Ancelotti, there won’t be much time to wait until we find out his starting XI.

Full story...

Team news: Braga

Manager Artur Jorge is a lucky man and has no fresh injury concerns ahead of the game against the 14-time European champions. 

Team news: Real Madrid

Éder Militão and Thibaut Courtois are the long-term absentees, with Aurélien Tchouaméni and DaniCeballos set to finally come back into the fold after the international break. 

Ferland Mendy is in the squad after overcoming another niggling issue and could well usurp Fran García and make it into the starting XI.

Little Arda Güler has once again made the senior squad for the game after also being included in the 0-0 draw against Rayo Vallecano, even though he didn’t make it out onto the pitch.

Am I missing anyone?

We're up and running!

The football wheel keeps spinning and today we’ve got another cracker on our hands in Europe’s elite competition: Real Madrid - Braga in Group C at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.

It’s Joe here at the keyboard of the live blog to keep up updated as the action unfolds in Spain’s chilly capital city.