Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr and Rodrigo Goes were on target for Madrid, who sealed promotion from Group C even without rest for top goalscorer Jude Bellingham.Record 14-time winners Real Madrid maintained their 100 per cent record with a 3-0 win over Braga in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr and Rodrigo Goes were on target for the Spanish giants, who sealed promotion from Group C without rest for top goalscorer Jude Bellingham. Brazilian wingers Vinicius and Rodrigo have been criticized for their lack of goals this season and both responded with fine finishes to help send the team through after Diaz opened the scoring. Madrid have four wins from four games and lead the group with 12 points ahead of Napoli, second in seven after a 1-1 draw with bottom side Union Berlin. Madrid have now reached the knockout stage in 26 consecutive editions of the tournament. "It tells me that Real Madrid did better than others in this match because going through the group is not always that simple," coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.We're very happy to have reached the last 16, but that doesn't mean we'll switch off in the last two games because the Champions League games are all about showing our best." Los Blancos goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga was injured in the warm-up and was replaced by Andriy Lunin. Alvaro Djalo's penalty in the sixth minute dived to the right and immediately put the Ukrainian into action. Lucas Vazquez brought down Christian Borja in the area, but the Portuguese side could not capitalize on the spot.

At the other end, Diaz was ruled out for a foul by Vinicius, but the former Manchester City midfielder didn't have to wait long for another, and this time it was valid.Rodrigo, sent down the left side of the area, cut the ball back to Diaz, who fired into the roof of the net from close range to break the deadlock. The 24-year-old celebrated sarcastically by drawing a VAR screen to embolden the officials to disallow the strike. Operating in Bellingham's usual attacking midfield role, Diaz excelled in a rare start and was involved in most of Madrid's moves. Bellingham, who has netted 13 times in 14 games since his summer switch, watched on from the bench as Ancelotti was allowed to recover from a shoulder problem suffered in the Rayo draw. Diaz was denied by Benfica goalkeeper Mathews' excellent double save early in the second half."I'm doing my thing, showing that I can perform, help the coach," Diaz told reporters. "There are very good players here, but I'm showing that I can handle more minutes -- a little bit more, everything comes." Brazilian double act. Vinicius netted the second just before the hour mark with some clever movement and footwork inside the box followed by a smooth low finish. It was his fourth goal of the season in all competitions from 12 games, low by his own standards, but Ancelotti predicted he and Rodrigo would overtake Bellingham by the end of the campaign. Rodrigo netted Madrid's third with a lovely chipped finish after his compatriot Vinicius played him in, with Ancelotti hugging Ancelotti on the sidelines in celebration.The coach was patient in front of his dynamic duo, who both returned goals that delighted the Santiago Bernabeu. "(The hug) was to thank him," Rodrigo explained. "We should judge people when we're not in a good moment, then you'll see who they really are. "I wasn't in a good moment, the coach was always with me, always supporting me and saying good things -- I was obliged to score and go and thank him." Lunin beat former Barcelona striker Abel Ruiz in stoppage time with a brilliant save to keep out his header and preserve Madrid's clean sheet, ensuring it was a perfect night at both ends.

Real Madrid beat Braga 3-0 to win the title

MADRID, Nov 8 (Reuters): Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Jr and Rodrigo scored as Real Madrid moved into the last 16 of the Champions League with two group games remaining after beating Portuguese side Braga 3-0 on Wednesday. Real manager Carlo Ancelotti rested a number of regular starters, including top scorer Jude Bellingham, who suffered a shoulder injury, but the 14-time champions maintained their 100% record to lead Group C with 12 points from four games.They can secure top spot with a point at home in their next match against Napoli. The Italian champions are second with seven points, four points behind Braga in third. Union Berlin are just under a point after a 1-1 draw against Napoli. Real got an early scare when Lucas Vazquez held Braga defender Cristian Borja inside the box to concede a penalty in the fourth minute. However, goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, a last-minute addition to Real's starting XI after Kepa Arrizabalaga was injured in the warm-up, saved Alvaro Jalo's weak effort from the spot.In the 20th minute, Vázquez faced a tough challenge on winger Bruma inside the box, which would have cost Real another penalty and a second yellow card if the referee ruled it a foul as the Braga players complained vociferously. However, he was dismissed and Real took control of the game. Diaz, who was a goal out earlier for a foul in the build-up, opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a first-time strike from close range, assisting Rodrigo on a low cross.Diaz could have extended the lead in the 55th minute, but goalkeeper Matthews made two reflex saves in quick succession to deny the Spanish midfielder's double effort from close range. Mathews also blocked a Rodrigo strike from the edge of the box to help Braga stay in the game, but in the 58th minute Vinicius Júnior collected a low cross from Vázquez and produced a neat finish from inside the box.Three minutes later, Vinicius launched a counter-attack and played in his compatriot Rodrigo, who curled a superb chip over the goalkeeper to secure the result. "Honestly, I'm happy. It was a perfect game, three goals, we didn't concede... I'm happy with the goal, the assist and of course the win and the qualification. The most important thing," man-of-the-match Rodrigo told Moviestar Plus."We have a lot of depth in our squad. If we have a good day, it's hard to stop us from scoring. Today went really well and we hope it continues in the next games."