Real Madrid Falls Short of Top-Eight Despite Brest Victory
Real Madrid will have to compete in the Champions League play-offs after failing to secure a top-eight finish, despite a dominant 3-0 victory over Brest in France.
A brace from Rodrygo and a goal from Jude Bellingham secured a comfortable win for the reigning champions. However, results elsewhere meant that Madrid could not clinch an automatic spot in the round of 16, setting up a two-legged tie against either Manchester City or Celtic in their title defense.
Brest, competing in the Champions League for the first time, also advanced to the knock-out play-offs.
After a sluggish start, Madrid found their groove and took the lead in the 27th minute through Rodrygo. The Brazilian forward, who has now netted 10 goals in his last 10 matches, cut inside a defender and struck a precise shot off the far post.
Madrid had a brief scare when Ludovic Ajorque’s deflected strike appeared to have equalized, but VAR intervention ruled it narrowly offside.
Bellingham extended Madrid’s lead in the 57th minute, calmly finishing off a Lucas Vazquez cutback. Rodrygo later sealed the win by tapping in a rebound from a Marco Bizot save.
With their Champions League title defense on the line, Carlo Ancelotti’s men now face a crucial play-off round to stay in contention.
