Real Madrid Forced into Champions League Play-Offs After Beating Brest

Despite a comfortable 3-0 victory over Brest, Real Madrid will have to navigate through the Champions League play-offs, facing either Manchester City or Celtic, after failing to secure a top-eight finish in the group stage.

Rodrygo’s brace and a goal from Jude Bellingham helped the reigning champions secure the win in France, a result that kept their hopes alive for automatic qualification to the round of 16.

However, other results elsewhere meant Carlo Ancelotti’s side finished outside the top eight, and they must now play an additional two-legged tie to defend their title.

Brest, in their debut Champions League campaign, also find themselves in the knockout play-offs.

How Mbappé & Bellingham Revived Real Madrid’s Hopes

After a slow start, Madrid quickly took control in Guingamp, with Rodrygo opening the scoring in the 27th minute. The Brazilian forward, now on 10 goals in 10 matches, slalomed past a defender before curling a left-footed shot into the far post.

Madrid nearly conceded when Ludovic Ajorque’s shot, deflected off Aurelien Tchouameni, found the net, but a VAR review ruled it out for offside.

Bellingham doubled Madrid’s lead in the 57th minute, finishing from a Lucas Vazquez assist, and Rodrygo added a third after pouncing on a rebound from Marco Bizot’s save.

Despite Madrid’s win, victories for Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Aston Villa mathematically ruled out any chance for Madrid to finish in the top eight, meaning they finished 11th in the group. As a result, they will face either Manchester City or Celtic in the upcoming play-offs, with the draw set for Friday.

Brest, who finished in 18th place, will meet either Benfica or Ligue 1 rivals Paris Saint-Germain in the next round.