Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of Group C after a nervy 2-1 victory at Estadio Municipal against Braga in the Champions League, with Los Blancos maintaining their perfect record in this year's competition.
Rodrygo was quick to respond to critics of his goalscoring instincts in the first half as the Brazilian put the visitors one goal ahead, before Jude Bellingham continued his impressive run of attacking contributions to give Carlo Ancelotti's men a clear advantage after 60 minutes.
Os Arcebispos were soon back within striking distance of the 14-time European champions when winger Alvaro Djalo made the net ripple for the hosts, but despite a late flurry of pressure, the Primeira Liga side came away from the contest empty handed.
The La Liga leaders have now collected a maximum of nine points from their opening three group-stage matches, with the knowledge that a victory in the reverse fixture at the Bernabeu on November 8 will be enough to secure Los Blancos' passage into the knockout phase.
Following Napoli's narrow success over Champions League newcomers Union Berlin, Braga are now three points away from second place at the halfway point of Group C, with the Portuguese side scheduled to play at Napoli during gameweek six.
Facing the Portuguese outfit for the first time in the club's history, Real Madrid started the game in less-than-exhilarating fashion, clearly missing the focal point at the top of their attack that Karim Benzema provided for so many years before his departure to Al-Ittihad in the summer.
Ancelotti has been forced into an alteration of his tactics since the loss of the Frenchman, and it was Los Blancos' makeshift forward line which combined to give the visitors the lead in Northern Portugal, although centre-back Nacho Fernandez delivered a beautiful ball to kick-start the attack.
The Spanish centre-back's long-range pass found the feet of Vinicius Jr, who raced past Serdar Saatci on the wing before firing a low cross into the path of Rodrygo, with the Brazilian getting ahead of Sikou Niakate and poking home, opening his account in this year's Champions League.
With target man Joselu missing from the XI, Madrid were often patient in their build up before launching long balls as they attempted to take advantage of a dangerously-high line from Braga, who Artur Jorge had set up to try to earn a historic maximum against the 14-time European champions.
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Eduardo Camavinga was finding acres of space in the middle of the park, and one of the youngster's galloping runs preceded a through-ball to Vinicius who provided a tap-in for goalscorer Rodrygo, however the former was offside in the initial phase of play.
After a relatively quiet first half in terms of clear-cut chances, Estadio Municipal de Braga soon became the playground of Bellingham in the second period, with the England international bagging his third Champions League goal of the term in his usual classy fashion.
Vinicius received the ball on the left flank and faked an effort to beat his man on the byline before laying the ball to the former Borussia Dortmund man, who produced a curling effort into the bottom-right corner, beating the outstretched Matheus in the Braga net.
As Bellingham performed his trademark celebration in front of the travelling Madrid support, it felt as if the contest and subsequent points were wrapped up, however Jorge's men were back in contention for a result just two minutes later.
Swede Josafat Mendes raced down the wing from right-back for Braga and swung in a looping cross to target man Simon Banza, and the 27-year-old did superbly to control the ball and find the run of Spaniard Djalo, who fired his strike past Kepa Arrizabalaga at his near post.
After getting onto the scoresheet, the Primeira Liga outfit side grewly into the game significantly and had chances to draw level, with captain Ricardo Horta's close-range shot being punched sidewards by the Los Blancos keeper - thankfully for the Madridistas, the ball dribbled out for a corner.
The loss against Madrid in front of their home faithful ended Braga's five-game winning run in all competitions, however a trip to Gil Vicente on Saturday afternoon will provide Jorge's men with a chance to bounce back from disappointment on the continent.
Los Blancos are now six games unbeaten across La Liga and the Champions League, with the small matter of an El Clasico clash against title rivals Barcelona next up at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys this weekend.
Carter White
