Dawn breaks over Real Madrid in this Champions League campaign as they clinch a 1-0 win away to Union Berlin and then push through with a 3-2 victory in Naples. The squad has reached the third continental milestone of the season, and Carlo Ancelotti raises his arms in triumph once more, guiding his team through a match that finished 1-2. It was a measured performance that aligns with autumn football, as Madrid remain convinced that the right moment for a memorable night will arrive. They face a decisive qualifying step for the last 16, and barring an unlikely turn of events, the next fixture could bring them back to the Bernabéu. The emphasis remains on the Portuguese influence guiding this run.
Vinícius Junior stood out as the Whites’ pivotal figure, reaffirming his ascent after an injury that sidelined him for a month. He supplied two assists, one for Rodrygo and another for Bellingham, and he even watched a goal ruled out for a barely perceptible offside. Madrid did not depend on that marginal call to beat Braga, a side that only found the net after Madrid had already gone two goals ahead. The visitors caused Madrid some discomfort in the final stretch, but the deficit proved insurmountable.
An environment with personality
In an era when stadiums can feel impersonal, resembling polished but chilly copies of one another beyond the surface details, the real beauty of a Champions League night at Braga shines through. The stadium’s character—bright, honest, and unmistakably Braga—imbues the occasion with a distinct charm that Juvento or the seasoned supporter can appreciate. Small-scale venues carry a rare aroma that larger arenas often lose.
The venue is intimate, with a capacity around 30,000, yet it hosts Real Madrid with the usual gravity of a classic confrontation. That atmosphere helps explain why substitutions by Tchouaméni and Kroos were made with an eye toward balance, while Modrić enjoyed a more limited role on the night. Alaba’s involvement was uncertain, and Joselu was sidelined by a last-minute illness, shaping the tactical choices for Ancelotti.
The absence of the Spain international intensified the responsibility on Rodrygo, who had been fairly quiet for much of La Liga’s early fixtures. Critics may question whether a player can operate as a central striker when his form has not yet reflected that role this season, but the numbers tell a different story—Rodrygo remains a highly versatile forward capable of delivering when it matters most.
Rodrygo’s goal
The forward’s expertise came to the fore, regardless of his nominal position, as he and Vinícius combined to lift Real Madrid’s performance early in Braga. In the 16th minute, Rodrygo read the play beautifully, exploiting a lapse in the defense and finishing with precision after a sequence that started with Vinícius narrowing the angle and providing the final pass. He outpaced the center-back Niakaté and found the net, giving Madrid the lead and a momentum that Braga struggled to reclaim.
Rodry The Brazilian forward ended his goal drought, delivering the opening strike against Real Madrid’s Portuguese opponents. The celebration captured the momentum of a night that promised more to come.
— Football on Movistar Plus+ (MovistarFutbol) provided a social moment from the broadcast, echoing the sentiment of the goal and the scene at Braga.
Braga initially showed signs of regional confidence, pressing Madrid and testing the defense. Some moments late in the first half exposed gaps, and Camavinga’s explosive drive is a reminder that improvement in positional coverage remains a work in progress. Yet Madrid absorbed the early pressure, repelled threats, and began to control the tempo as the half wore on, even without a second tally before the break.
There is often a tale told in football of missed penalties influencing outcomes, and Madrid were not daunted by such narratives. Instead, they pressed with superior feel and, above all, Vinícius’s ability to stretch Braga’s back line, making life difficult for the Portuguese defense with ease.
Bellingham’s goal
After two attempts by Bellingham and another by Camavinga, Madrid doubled their advantage with a well-timed strike from the edge of the box. Receiving a precise pass from Vinícius, the English midfielder unleashed a clean shot that found the corner, showcasing his quality and the team’s unit play in the attacking third.
This was no longer a question of whether Madrid would secure a result but how comfortably the win could be wrapped up in the end, with a display that demonstrated both technical proficiency and calm execution in front of goal.
— Football on Movistar Plus+ shared a highlight reel of Bellingham’s refined finish, underscoring the build-up that defined the night for Madrid.
Soon after, Braga began to push back with renewed energy. Spaniard Álvaro Djaló capitalized on a defensive slip by Fran García to halve the deficit, and Horta nearly leveled soon after. Kepa, Madrid’s goalkeeper, was fortunate to escape harm on a couple of occasions as the hosts pressed, but Madrid’s resilience kept them in front.
Braga found ways to press Madrid’s back line, yet Ancelotti responded by strengthening the midfield and defense in the final period by introducing Tchouaméni and Mendy. Madrid then profited on the counter, though Vinícius’s late strike was disallowed for a minor shoulder offside, a reminder that fortunes can swing on marginal decisions. Still, Madrid earned a victory that, while not a historic show of dominance in the classical sense, solidified their place in the competition and kept their progression within reach of the knockout rounds.
Data sheet:
1 – Panties: Matheus; Mendes, Niakité, Serdar, Cristián Borja; Al Musrati, Rodrigo Zalazar; Djaló, Vitor Carvalho, Ricardo Horta; Banza.
2-Real Madrid: Kepa; Dani Carvajal, Nacho, Rüdiger, Fran García; Camavinga, Fede Valverde, Modric, Bellingham (Lucas Vázquez, 89); Vinícius and Rodrygo (Tchouaméni, 71).
Goals: 0-1, 16: Rodrygo. 0-2, 61: Bellingham. 1-2, 63: Djaló.
Judge: Michael Oliver. He warned Camavinga and Nacho on bookings during the match. The fixture took place on the third matchday of the Champions League in front of a crowd around 29,820 at Braga Municipal Stadium.