Real Madrid secured a comfortable 3-0 victory against Brest in their final UEFA Champions League fixture before the knockout stages commence.
In an evenly contested first half, Rodrygo opened the scoring for los Blancos following a dazzling piece of skill and a well-placed finish off the post.
After surviving a quick scare and being saved by VAR, Jude Bellingham popped up to double the visitors’ lead in the second half. The Englishman netted a simple finish after launching a clinical and ruthless break away, with Real Madrid securing victory late on in the second half when Rodrygo poached his second of the night.
As it happened
The final matchday of the inaugural league phase offered a true David v Goliath match-up. In 2018, Stade Brestois 29 found themselves competing in French’s second division. That same year, Real Madrid had won their 13th Champions League title. On paper, Madrid were clear favourites, yet going into this game Brest somehow found themselves a point – and three positions – ahead of the Spanish giants.
The French side have defied all expectations in their debut Champions League season. Four wins in their opening seven games meant they had already secured qualification to the play-off stage. A true underdog story. Madrid, on the other hand, have endured a more turbulent European campaign. Defeats early on to Lille, AC Milan and Liverpool left them with an uphill challenge. However, they too guaranteed qualification to the next stage following a comprehensive 5-1 victory against RB Salzburg last time out.
The opening exchanges in France were fairly subdued. The closest either side came was in the 6th minute when Brest’s Mathias Pereira-Lage, who was filling in at left-back, struck a sweet free-kick from 30 yards and forced a diving save out of Thibaut Courtois.
It didn’t take long for Madrid to kick into gear though. Lucas Vázquez began to enjoy plenty of time on the ball on the right flank and was Real Madrid’s most creative outlet on the night. With a quarter of an hour having been played, he whipped in a delightful cross for Rodrygo, who turned a header towards goal that was brilliantly saved by Marco Bizot. Moments later, Rodrygo wasn’t to be denied again. The Brazilian produced a quick piece of skill to beat his man, drove into the penalty area and fired in the opener on his left foot off the post.
Embed from Getty ImagesBrest had done well up until that point to stifle the visitors’ star-studded forward line but the difference in quality was critical. They might have considered themselves unlucky to go into half-time trailing as they had spurned an opportunity to equalise moments before the interval. After working their way into the box, the ball sat up for Mama Baldé, who could only blast his volley over the bar.
Entering the second half, Real Madrid had the lead but the game was still finely balanced. Brest were knocking on the door and searching for an equaliser. Incredibly, it seemed as though they had found it when Ludovic Ajorque’s tame effort somehow crept past Courtois in the 50th minute. However, VAR intervened to cut the celebrations short as the striker was ruled offside.
Five minutes later and Brest were made to pay. Following a silky and effective counter-attack, Jude Bellingham tapped home to double los Blancos’ lead. Again, it was Vázquez down the right-hand side proving to be Madrid’s attacking spark as he served it on a plate for Bellingham’s 10th goal in 18 games in all competitions.
Brest were determined to not let the game run away from them. A spell of pressure around the hour mark culminated in an incredible save from Courtios to deny Kenny Lala. Despite a few more half chances, the Ligue 1 side were unable to breakthrough the Madrid defence.
Eventually, Real Madrid sealed the three points in the 78th minute. With his back to goal, Kylian Mbappé sharply turned and flashed a shot at goal. The ‘keeper saved it but could only parry it out to Rodrygo who deftly flicked it into the back of the net for his second of the night. Game, set and match.
Embed from Getty ImagesGoing into the game tonight, a win for either side could have resulted in automatic qualification to the round-of-16 had results gone their way. Unfortunately for Madrid, they have to settle for 11th place and a two-leg qualifier against Celtic or Manchester City. As for Brest, results tonight mean they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Benfica in the play-offs.
The lineups
BRE: Bizot; Pereira-Lage, Coulibaly, Chardonnet, Lala; Fernandes, Magnetti, Camara, Doumbia; Ajorque, Baldé
RMA: Courtois; Mendy, Rüdiger, Tchouaméni, Vázquez; Modric, Valverde, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Mbappé, Diaz