Real Madrid Beat Braga To Reach Champions League Knockout Stage For 27th Straight Season
Real Madrid overcame an early scare before overpowering Braga 3-0 at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Portuguese outfit Braga were given a penalty kick in the fourth minute after a foul by Lucas Vazquez on Cristian Borja.
But Alvaro Djalo was unable to convert as Madrid keeper Andriy Lunin - who was only playing because Kepa Arrizabalaga had been injured in the warm-up - made an excellent diving save.
Vazquez was lucky not to concede another spot-kick before Brahim Diaz - moments after having a goal disallowed by the VAR - fired Madrid in front midway through the first half.
Brahim Diaz scored Real Madrid's opening goal in a 3-0 win over Braga on Wednesday
IMAGO/ZUMA Wire/Maria De Gracia
Vinicius Junior then doubled the home side's lead with a sharp finish on 58 minutes before setting up fellow Brazilian Rodrygo for a beautiful third goal moments later.
Wednesday's victory took the 14-time champions onto 12 points in UEFA Champions League Group C with two games still to play.
The result saw Madrid qualify for the knockout phase of the Champions League for the 27th season in a row - extending the tournament record for the longest run of consecutive group stage successes.
