By Fernando Kallas
BRAGA, Portugal (Reuters) – Real Madrid’s Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham got on the scoresheet in each half to secure a 2-1 win at Sporting Braga in their Champions League Group C clash on Tuesday.
The Spanish giants dominated from the start and opened the scoring in the 16th minute with a close-range strike by Rodrygo and extended their lead in the 61st when Bellingham slotted home a curling shot from inside the box.
Braga forward Alvaro Djalo took advantage of a mistake by Real Madrid’s defence to narrow the deficit two minutes later with a strike from inside the area but Real held on despite late pressure to secure their third win in three games.
Real are top on nine points, three ahead of Napoli, who won 1-0 at bottom side Union Berlin with the Germans yet to earn a point. Braga are in third place on three points.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; Editing by Ken Ferris)