Real Madrid rout Brest to earn Champions League playoff seed

Holders Real Madrid made sure they would be seeded for Friday's Champions League playoff draw by beating Stade Brest 3-0 away in the last round of the first phase on Wednesday.

Rodrygo scored the first and last goals after 26 and 78 minutes respectively while Jude Bellingham netted the second in the 56th following a smart pass from Lucas Vázquez. The Brazilian forward continued his excellent form, causing constant problems for Brest's defense with his pace and technical ability.

Despite the loss, Brest will also feature in the two-legged playoffs as an unseeded team in their first European campaign. Their spirited performance throughout the group phase has earned them respect, and they will look to build on their progress as they prepare for their next challenge in the competition.

Real reached the Champions League knockout phase for the 28th consecutive year and extended their winning streak to five matches in all competitions. Carlo Ancelotti's team, brimming with experience and tactical discipline, once again proved why they remain one of the tournament's favorites.

Real finished in 11th place with 15 points from eight games, and will face either Manchester City or Celtic in the playoffs. This presents a formidable challenge, especially if they draw City, who have been among Europe's dominant sides in recent seasons.

Brest are 18th with 13 points and will meet either Paris St Germain or Benfica in the next round. Regardless of their opponent, Brest will need to tighten their defensive structure and be more clinical in front of goal to stand a chance of advancing further.

Without the suspended Vinicius Jr and despite brave opponents, Carlo Ancelotti's Real side shook off the distraction of the raucous atmosphere in the small stadium. The Italian manager expertly rotated his squad, ensuring that his key players were well-rested while maintaining the team's overall efficiency.

Rodrygo opened the scoring with a cross-shot that went in off the post a minute after his close-range header was saved by Marco Bizot. His movement and awareness inside the penalty box were crucial in breaking down Brest's resistance, and his goal gave Madrid a firm foothold in the game.

Bellingham extended the lead when he netted into an open goal from Vazquez's pass to finish off a counter-attack five minutes after Brest thought they had equalised only for Ludovic Ajorque's effort to be ruled out for offside. The disallowed goal briefly lifted the spirits of the home crowd, but Madrid quickly capitalized on Brest's momentary lapse in concentration.

Rodrygo sealed the win with a volley after Bizot had kept out a Kylian Mbappé shot. The Brazilian's second goal was a display of exquisite technique and confidence, highlighting Madrid's superior attacking quality.

Mbappe's run of scoring in the last five matches came to an end and the France striker was booed by the home fans. It was an unusually quiet night for the superstar, who struggled to find his rhythm against Brest’s deep defensive line.

He had a lot of chances but his first two efforts went over the bar after 12 and 15 minutes respectively and he was also denied a couple of times by Bizot in the second half. Despite being heavily involved in Madrid's attacking moves, he lacked his usual composure in front of goal.

The French side also had chances but Mathias Pereira Lage's free-kick after five minutes and Kenny Lala's shot from the edge of the box in the 63rd were saved by Thibaut Courtois. The Belgian goalkeeper once again proved his worth, making crucial saves to preserve Madrid's clean sheet and ensure a comfortable victory.