Real Madrid earns a win in Portugal and sustains momentum in the Champions League, with Rodrygo back on the scoresheet and Bellingham striking again despite an injury setback.
Rodrygo Goes and Jude Bellingham supplied the goals as Real Madrid beat Braga 1-2, with Álvaro Djaló pulling Braga back into the contest before the Spaniards closed out a narrow victory. Vinícius Junior came under pressure as Serdar Saatçi sought a decisive stamp on the Merengues, helping Madrid secure full points in the group after the opening phase. Carlo Ancelotti rotated his lineup to protect the lead, allowing Braga to grow into the match by using width and crosses from the flanks.
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The 0-2 scoreline to Bellingham surprised a Madrid side that was already eyeing the Clasico against Barcelona, with the result arriving some 30 minutes into the second half as Madrid began to retreat, inviting a Braga revival that started to pick up with the substitutions of Abel Ruiz and Bruma.
The opening period saw Arsenal-like intensity from Braga to press Madrid, with Álvaro Djaló taking the lead and showing Madrid that the contest would not be decided easily. Rodrygo, Madrid’s most active player in the final third, stood out with the ball in the opponent’s area number one (15 touches), while Madrid created three chances and dominated duels in the final third during the first phase.
Mikel Camps, a Barcelona board spokesperson, sparked controversy by calling Vinícius a “clown” and suggesting a harsh reaction, a claim that drew widespread attention on social media. The source cited is Goal Spain (October 24, 2023).
Vinícius Junior’s distribution and renewed energy helped Madrid reclaim momentum ahead of the Clasico. The match featured numerous 1v1 battles and decisive moments that highlighted Madrid’s resilience in the group stage, with the team drawing confidence from the role players who stepped up in the absence of key figures.
Jude Bellingham’s performance in the opening act of the second half set the tone as he left an impression with sustained pressure and precise finishing, reinforcing Madrid’s lead before the Clasico. The result was a reminder that Real Madrid can navigate challenging conditions away from home while keeping Diagonal play and ball speed under control.
The summary of SC Braga vs Real Madrid in the Champions League 2023-2024 includes key goals, late chances, and pivotal moments. In the 82nd minute, a controversial offside decision cancelled Vinícius Junior’s goal after Camavinga’s deep pass found the Brazilian in behind the defense; the play was ruled out due to an illegal setup. In the 63rd minute, Álvaro Djaló finished off a well-worked Braga move to pull the game level, capitalizing on a vulnerable Madrid defense that had shifted to maintain pressure elsewhere. The moment highlighted the hosts’ persistence as they probed Madrid’s defensive lines with continuous crosses and quick exchanges.
Madrid had taken the lead late in the first half when Rodrygo finished a pass from Vinícius Junior after a sequence that exposed Saatçi in the center of the defense. The goal came as Madrid exploited space behind Braga’s back line, and Vinícius’s contribution stretched the attack across the flank for a near-post finish by Rodrygo. The home side briefly threatened to turn the tide, but Madrid steadied and controlled the tempo as the clock moved forward.
Earlier, Dani Carvajal’s header nearly extended Madrid’s advantage just before the break, with the ball curling narrowly wide after Luka Modrić’s corner found a first-post connection. A late push from the hosts was blunted by decisive defensive moments, including Rudiger’s block on a Brugian shot and a series of timely interventions from Madrid’s back line as the minutes ticked down.
The match unfolded with Madrid deploying a back three that Arturo Jorge used in an attempt to curb Madrid’s wide play. That setup pressured the center backs but allowed Vinícius Junior to exploit the spaces vacated by Saatçi, particularly when the ball traveled to the left side of the attack. The visitors then pressed to restore balance and preserve the lead, while Braga circulated the ball and looked for chances in transition through the middle and wings. Madrid’s control in the second period, especially in terms of passing accuracy and defensive solidity, contributed to a hard-fought win. In a broader sense, the contest illustrated how Real Madrid can balance attacking intent with defensive discipline when faced with a determined Braga side that refused to surrender.
Real Madrid’s lineup and tactical approach in this fixture showed a willingness to adapt to threats from Braga. While the match didn’t unfold as a one-sided affair, Madrid demonstrated the quality to convert a pair of opportunities into goals and to manage the late phases with composure. The overall performance reinforced Madrid’s staying power in Europe’s premier club competition and kept their group-stage campaign on course for the remaining fixtures. The story from Braga draws attention to the continuing evolution of Real Madrid’s approach in high-stakes matches across multiple competitions.
Minute by minute of SC Braga vs Real Madrid in the Champions League 2023-2024 is documented with notes on goals, attempts, and controversial decisions for readers seeking a detailed account. The source commentary is attributed to Goal Spain (October 24, 2023).
Spain (October 24, 2023)