Real Madrid's Hard-Fought Champions League Win

 Real Madrid's Hard-Fought Champions League Win

Serdar Saatci of Braga (L) chases Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid (R) during the UEFA Champions League Group Stage match between SC Braga and Real Madrid at Estadio Municipal de Braga on October 24, 2023 in Braga, Portugal.(Image-Getty)

Real Madrid's dynamic performance led by Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory at Sporting Braga, maintaining their three-point lead in Champions League Group C on a chilly, rainy day in northern Portugal.

The Spanish giants asserted their dominance early on, with Rodrygo breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute, capitalizing on a precision pass from Vinicius Jr to slide in a close-range strike from inside the six-yard box.

Despite their control, Real Madrid missed several opportunities to extend their lead, notably through the agile Vinicius, who struggled with the offside trap set by the aggressive Braga defensive line.

Nevertheless, the relentless attack paid off in the 61st minute when Rodrygo cleverly evaded the offside trap, setting up Vinicius to find Bellingham's well-timed run behind the defense. Bellingham calmly placed an exquisite curling shot just inside the far post, marking his 10th goal in 11 games across all competitions this season. He joined an elite club, becoming the second Real Madrid player after Christian Karembeu in 1998 to score in each of his first three Champions League appearances.

Braga managed to pull one back through Alvaro Djalo in the 63rd minute, taking advantage of a defensive error in the box. Despite mounting pressure in the closing stages, Real Madrid maintained their lead, largely thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who made two outstanding saves.

Reflecting on the challenging victory, Vinicius Jr acknowledged the team's resilience in the face of tough away competition, highlighting the significance of maintaining their winning streak in the group stage.

With an impeccable record of three wins in three games, Real Madrid sits atop the group with nine points, followed by Napoli, who secured a narrow 1-0 victory against Union Berlin, with the German side yet to earn a point. Braga currently holds the third position in the group with three points.