By Victor Kanayo
Real Madrid on Wednesday night thrashed Braga 3-0 to hit the knockout stage of UEFA Champions League (UCL).
The victory ensured that the 14-time winners maintained their 100 percent record, despite the absence of top goalscorer Jude Bellingham.
The goals came off the frets of Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes for the Spanish giants, who sealed progress from Group C.
Madrid have four wins from four games, leading the group on 12 points ahead of Napoli, second on seven after a 1-1 draw with bottom team Union Berlin.
More Kane Goals For Bayern Passage
Bayern Munich booked their place in the knockout stages of the competition Champions with two games to spare.
Bayern made it four wins out of four in Group A but only after a frantic finish in their 2-1 win over Galatasaray.
Inter Milan and Real Sociedad also secured a last 16 place in the UCL.
Another Red Devils Crash
Meanwhile, Manchester United’s hopes of reaching the Champions League knockout stage were dealt a fresh blow after they suffered a stunning 4-3 defeat by FC Copenhagen in Denmark.
United led 2-0 in the Group A game before Marcus Rashford was sent off late in the first half, and later threw away a 3-2 lead as Roony Bardghji got the Danish side’s late winner.
Gunners Push On
Elsewhere, Arsenal edged closer to the Champions League knockout stages as Bukayo Saka’s goal and assist helped them to a commanding 2-0 win over Group B opponents Sevilla at the Emirates Stadium.
The victory, during which Sevilla registered the one and only shot in the final minute of stoppage time, sees Arsenal maintain their four-point cushion at the top of Group B with only two games to play.
