Penalty saved by Lunin
Madrid kept a sense of drama alive as they faced Braga in a game that began with more questions than answers. The lineup shuffle added fuel to the fire: Nacho, Lucas, and Brahim entered early, and an injury during warm-up forced an additional change to the goalkeeping plan. A rough moment unfolded when a risky challenge gave Lunin the first real test, and five minutes later Lucas Vázquez earned a penalty that felt both naive and unnecessary. The call sparked debate within Braga’s ranks as Horta urged Zalazar to take the spot kick, but Djalo ultimately stepped in. The Ukrainian keeper answered with a precise save in his first decisive moment of this European night, setting a tangible tone for Madrid. [citation needed]
Brahim’s goal
Real Madrid presented a curious, asymmetrical rhythm, and Braga seized on ball retention to unsettle their hosts. Bruma exploited Lucas’s uneven night and continued to push the tempo as Carlo Ancelotti weighed what he saw on the touchline. In the 26th minute a clever Mendy pass cut through the defense and found Rodrygo racing to the goal line, with the ball threaded back into the danger area where Brahim was waiting. The English influence on the attack was palpable as Brahim, stepping in for an absent player, found the net for the second time this campaign after an earlier Vinícius foul had negated a previous effort. The breakthrough highlighted Madrid’s spark when it mattered most. [citation needed]
Braga did not wilt. They pressed with vigor, exposing both Madrid’s offensive speed and defensive gaps. Vinícius kept applying pressure on the wings, and though Madrid sometimes looked to conserve energy, the visitors showed flashes of real threat. Madrid’s care in moments of fatigue contrasted with Braga’s willingness to press as the clock ticked toward halftime. Ancelotti continued to manage his bench with the aim of sealing passage to the knockout rounds. [citation needed]
Vini and Rodrygo in three minutes
After a precise exchange, Brahim offered a warning with a sharp shot that was saved by the Braga closer, and then a rapid sequence produced Madrid’s second. Valverde and Lucas surged forward in response to a Camavinga surge, the full-backs delivering dangerous balls into the box as Vinícius arrived to close the contest. With Madrid pressing for a second goal, there remained a sense of controlled urgency as the clock wore down. Three minutes after Vinícius’s strike, a swift counter between the two forwards culminated in Rodrygo finishing to extend the lead. Braga’s effort did not vanish, but Madrid’s late brilliance turned the match into a demonstration of their depth and decision-making under pressure. [citation needed]
What followed was a quiet return to form for Lunin as Madrid prepared to close the group. The goalkeeper’s early save set a tone, with the team’s defense tightening and the attack finding rhythm at crucial moments. The result clarified Madrid’s stance in the group, offering a path toward the playoffs and a potential meeting that could further showcase their attacking options. The night also introduced Nico Paz to his senior European debut, gave Modrić additional minutes for rhythm, and allowed Joselu to sharpen his instincts. Madrid’s fourth win in four matches underscored their readiness to push toward the title as the group stage neared its end. [citation needed]
As the group concluded, Madrid could look ahead to the Bernabéu and a pivotal match against Napoli, followed by a final group game at home against Berlin. The focus would shift to Valencia, where Lunin might continue to exercise his influence between the posts as Madrid navigates the final fixtures of a demanding campaign. [citation needed]