Real Madrid rounded off their Champions League league-phase campaign with a 3-0 success over Brest on Wednesday night, but Carlo Ancelotti's side have been made to settle for a spot in the playoffs.
Rodrygo netted twice in an excellent performance from the reigning champions, while Jude Bellingham was also on the scoresheet, as Los Blancos ended this phase of the competition in style.
Real Madrid have not managed to finish in the top eight, though, with the capital giants ending the league phase in 11th, on 15 points from eight matches, so they require a playoff, which will be against either Manchester City or Celtic, to be present in the next round of the competition.
As for Brest, a return of 13 points from eight matches has seen them finish in 18th, which is also enough for the playoffs, and the French outfit can be delighted with their performance in this round despite a disappointing finish against Los Blancos.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Iconsport
There is no getting away from the fact that Real Madrid finishing outside of the top eight in the Champions League table is a huge shock, and for that reason, it has been a disappointing league-phase campaign for the club.
However, it would not be even slightly surprising to see Los Blancos go on and win the competition from this position considering the strength of their squad, as the attacking players are starting to find their groove.
Kylian Mbappe is in his best form since arriving last summer, while Rodrygo was excellent in this match; Bellingham is back to his best, and Vinicius Junior's presence added to those three makes this a serious, serious outfit.
Suffering three defeats in the league phase would not have been in their minds, but Real Madrid are in the playoffs, and it would be some contest if they were drawn against English champions Manchester City.
As for Brest, a playoff spot has been secured with 13 points, and it would be an excellent achievement if the French outfit could navigate their way into the knockout round of the competition.
BREST VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
27th min: Brest 0-1 Real Madrid (Rodrygo)
Real Madrid make the breakthrough in the 27th minute of the contest through Rodrygo, who works his way into the Brest penalty box before picking out the bottom corner - it is a brilliant individual goal from the Brazilian.
51st min: Brest 0-1 Real Madrid (Ludovic Ajorque disallowed goal)
Brest think that they have levelled the scores through Ludovic Ajorque, but the effort is chalked off for offside following a VAR check.
56th min: Brest 0-2 Real Madrid (Jude Bellingham)
Real Madrid double their advantage in the 56th minute of the contest, as Bellingham taps a cross from Lucas Vazquez into the back of the net; Los Blancos are now in an excellent spot when it comes to picking up all three points here.
78th min: Brest 0-3 Real Madrid (Rodrygo)
Real Madrid make sure of the points in France, and it is a second of the match for Rodrygo, who turns into the back of the net from inside the box after Mbappe had been denied by the home side's goalkeeper.
MAN OF THE MATCH - RODRYGO
© Iconsport
Vinicius's absence through suspension opened the door for Rodrygo to start down the left, and the Brazil international was in sensational form on Wednesday night, proving to have too much quality for Brest.
Rodrygo's first of the night was a wonderful finish, while he was quickly on the scene to make it 3-0 in the 78th minute, and Brest will be delighted that they do not have to come up against players of his quality on a consistent basis.
BREST VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Brest 40%-60% Real Madrid
Shots: Brest 23-14 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Brest 5-6 Real Madrid
Corners: Brest 4-3 Real Madrid
Fouls: Brest 11-12 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
3 - At 21 years and 214 days, Jude Bellingham becomes the third youngest player to reach 25 goal appearances in the UEFA Champions League (12G 13A), after Kylian Mbappé (20 years and 306 days) and Erling Haaland (21 years and 139 days).
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 29, 2025
Chosen. pic.twitter.com/0Cs0UszjUh
13 - Rodrygo Goes has been involved in 13 goals in his last 11 games for Real Madrid in all competitions (9 goals, 4 assists), as many as in his previous 43 (also 9 goals, 4 assists).
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 29, 2025
On. pic.twitter.com/yV4uDgEwJk
❗️Real Madrid will play the play-off against Celtic or City. And if they win, they would play in the round of 16 against Atleti or Bayer Leverkusen. pic.twitter.com/RCNiJdBsN1
— Madrid Universal (@MadridUniversal) January 29, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Real Madrid's attention will now switch back to Spain's top flight, with Ancelotti's side in action away to Espanyol on Saturday night; Los Blancos are currently top of the La Liga table, four points ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid.
Brest, meanwhile, will return to domestic action at home to French champions Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday afternoon; Les Pirates are eighth in the Ligue 1 table, boasting 28 points from their opening 19 matches of the campaign.
Matt Law
