With a decisive 3-0 victory against Stade Brestois in the Champions League Round of 16, Real Madrid once again demonstrated their European heritage and put an end to the French team’s incredible run in their tournament debut. At the Santiago Bernabéu, Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo all scored goals to seal the victory for Los Blancos, who hardly gave Brest a chance to breathe.
The difference in quality was apparent from the first whistle, even with Brest’s perseverance. Madrid dominated possession, set the pace, and displayed excellent precision finishing as they pursued their 15th UCL championship.
Bellingham Breaks the Deadlock in a Dominant First Half
When Jude Bellingham raced forward, played a deft one-two with Rodrygo, and calmly placed the ball past Marco Bizot in the 23rd minute, Brest’s defensive fortitude broke. Brest had started the game trying to withstand pressure. With his ninth goal of the tournament, the English midfielder further solidified his status as one of the best players in the world of football and continued his incredible season.
Before halftime, Madrid extended their advantage in the 37th minute thanks to Vinícius Júnior. After evading three defenders and curling a precise shot into the far corner, the Brazilian winger played with Brest’s defense. The Bernabéu audience was in awe of his brilliant footwork, while Brest’s backline could only watch in helplessness.
By the break, the stats reflected Madrid’s complete control: 72% possession, 14 shots to Brest’s two, and an xG of 2.1 – 0.2. It was already looking like a long night for the French underdogs.
Rodrygo Seals Madrid’s Victory in the Second Half
In the 58th minute, Rodrygo scored on a rebound after Bizot was unable to hold onto a strong effort from Federico Valverde, ending any prospects of a Brest comeback. After thereafter, the game became more of an exhibition as all three of Madrid’s attacking players scored goals.
In the 68th minute, Brest had their greatest chance of the evening, but Steve Mounié wasted a great chance by shooting poorly from close range. Brest’s evening was summed up by that miss brave but ultimately outmatched.
The traveling supporters of Brest cheered their team for their heroic efforts in what had been a historic campaign, while the Madrid supporters yelled in delight as the final whistle rang.
Madrid’s Stars Shine in Player Ratings
- Jude Bellingham (9/10) is the backbone of Real Madrid’s midfield, controlling the game with 91% pass accuracy and scoring the game’s first goal.
- Vinícius Júnior (8.5/10): A dynamic player on the left wing who assists and scores a spectacular goal.
- A defensive stalwart, Antonio Rüdiger (8/10) won every tackle and made sure Brest couldn’t get back into the game.
What This Victory Means for Madrid and Brest
The victory solidifies Madrid’s position as the dominant team in European football and adds to their record-breaking 78th Champions League knockout triumph. They are among the favorites to win the championship again because of their brutal efficiency and star power.
Brest’s Champions League fairytale debut comes to an end, but they leave with dignity. Making it to the Round of 16 was a significant accomplishment in and of itself, and even though they lost, they learned a great deal on the grandest stage. They will now return to Ligue 1 with the goal of building on this unprecedented run.
Post-Match Reactions
“This is Real Madrid,” Carlo Ancelotti said, expressing his admiration for his team’s performance. We write history here, but we respect all of our opponents.
“We faced a machine,” said Eric Roy, manager of Brest, acknowledging the difficulty. We are now concentrating on Ligue 1.
Madrid’s supremacy in the competition is still undeniable as the knockout stages go on. With Bellingham, Vinícius, and Rodrygo playing at their best, Los Blancos are making it quite evident that they intend to retake Europe.
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