Carlo Ancelotti's side cruised to victory in France, but results elsewhere mean they face a potentially tricky route through the knockouts
Real Madrid took care of business on the final day of the Champions League league phase as Rodrygo bagged a brace and Jude Bellingham also grabbed a goal in a 3-0 win over Brest. However, results elsewhere meant the defending champions missed out on a place in the last 16 and must make do with a play-off spot.
Kylian Mbappe and Rodrygo both had chances early on, but neither found the mark – the latter denied by a fine save from Marco Bizot. The Brazilian did, however, net the opener after 27 minutes, ducking and weaving his way through the Brest defence before arrowing a shot into the bottom corner.
The hosts thought they hand an equaliser after 50 minutes when Ludovic Ajorque poked the ball into the bottom corner under pressure, only to see his effort ruled out for a narrow offside. Madrid capitalised soon after as Bellingham started and completed the move, dribbling from the halfway line before working the ball wide, and ghosting into the box to slot the return pass into an empty net.
Rodrygo provided the third, reacting first to Mbappe's parried shot with a clever flick into the back of the net. Victory means Carlo Ancelotti's side finish 11th in the table, and will face either Manchester City or Celtic in the next round.
GOAL rates Madrid's players from Stade du Roudourou…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (8/10):
Pulled off a nice save early on. Made a few others to keep a clean sheet. A fine evening's work.
Lucas Vazquez (7/10):
Can't be faulted for his energy getting up and down the right, but seemed relieved to be replaced.
Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):
Very obviously targeted by the Brest attack. Had to make a couple of key interventions.
Antonio Rudiger (7/10):
Didn't have loads to do defensively. Pinged a few long balls and made one ridiculous clearance with his head.
Ferland Mendy (6/10):
Solid at left-back after a spell out of the side. Might have lost his spot to Fran Garcia, however.
AdvertisementAFPMidfield
Federico Valverde (6/10):
Struggled to assert his authority on the game. Looked tired.
Luka Modric (7/10):
Graceful in the middle of the park, and played a few incisive passes to Mbappe.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Picked up all sorts of little spaces in between the lines, pressed like a maniac and scored a lovely goal.
AFPAttack
Brahim Diaz (5/10):
Didn't have much of an impact on proceedings. Failed to create a chance or put a shot on goal.
Kylian Mbappe (7/10):
Looked dangerous from the first minute – despite the boos from the Brest fans. Unlucky not to find the net after forcing a few good saves.
Rodrygo (8/10):
Lively on the left, full of creativity and energy. Took his goals wonderfully.
AFPSubs & Manager
Arda Guler (6/10):
Looked to make things happen after being introduced. Probably deserved a start.
David Alaba (N/A):
A good run out as he continues his injury return.
Raul Asencio (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Dani Ceballos (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Endrick (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):
Couldn't have asked for a better result, all said. Put out a traditional 4-3-3, Mbappe played well as a striker, and Los Blancos cruised.
