Led by Jude Bellingham but once more, Real Madrid defeated Braga 2-1 on Tuesday to maintain an ideal document within the UEFA Champions League 2023 and transfer nearer to securing a spot within the knockout stage. Bellingham scored his eleventh aim in 12 matches since becoming a member of Madrid to assist the 14-time European champion earn the away victory and strengthen its lead in Group C. Madrid has 9 factors from three matches, three factors greater than Napoli, which received 1-0 at winless Union Berlin. Braga stayed in third place with three factors.
Another win in opposition to Braga at residence within the subsequent spherical in November will assure Madrid a spot within the knockout stage for the twenty eighth consecutive time. Braga has by no means superior previous the group stage. The Portuguese workforce is making its third Champions League look and first in 11 seasons.
___ Jude Bellingham since he joined Real Madrid within the summer_
__ 12 video games
__ 11 objectives
_ 3 assistsMachine. Incredible signing. _______ pic.twitter.com/ntfBxrnBz6
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 24, 2023
Rodrygo, who hadn’t scored since August, put Madrid forward within the sixteenth minute with a shot from inside the realm after a run by Vinícius Júnior down the left flank, and Bellingham added to the lead within the 61st with a low shot into the far nook after one other help by Vinícius.
Spaniard Álvaro Djaló pulled the hosts nearer within the 63rd with a shot into the highest nook. “It’s normal to suffer a little in away matches,” Vinícius mentioned. “But we played well and scored the goals with the chances we created. And could’ve scored even more. We have to keep this run going after having won the first three matches.”
The 20-year-old Bellingham is but to go consecutive video games with out scoring for Madrid. The Englishman has scored in every of the primary three matchday’s within the Champions League for the second season in a row, after doing the identical with Borussia Dortmund in 2022-23.
He managed the tempo of the sport at midfield to assist Madrid dominate early. Braga, which had received 5 in a row in all competitions, didn’t have any makes an attempt on track within the first half.
The hosts improved after halftime and threatened Madrid via the top however couldn’t capitalize on a number of late possibilities. The Brazilian duo of Rodrygo and Vinícius every had objectives disallowed for offside, one in every half.
“The game was under control after Bellingham’s goal but after we conceded it changed the dynamics,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti mentioned.
Madrid now turns its focus to Saturday’s match in opposition to Barcelona within the first ‘clasico’ of the season within the Spanish league. Bellingham was changed late in opposition to Braga with an obvious muscle discomfort however Ancelotti mentioned it did not appear like a major problem.
Ancelotti wasn’t in a position to depend on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, defender Éder Militão and midfielder Arda Güler due to accidents. Braga noticed striker Bruma, who was not absolutely match, come into the match solely within the second half. He had scored in 5 of Braga’s earlier six European matches this season.
After the match, a member of Braga’s employees reportedly tried to confront Madrid defender Antonio Rüdiger and others needed to intervene to finish to the incident.
