Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Real Sociedad San Sebastián have reached the knockout phase of the Champions League ahead of schedule, and Arsenal FC has taken a big step towards it. Real beat Sporting Braga 3-0 (1-0) on Wednesday evening and took their fourth win in their fourth game. Brahim Díaz (27th minute), Vinicius Júnior (58th) and Rodrygo (61st) ensured a relaxed evening for Real, who comfortably lead Group C with twelve points from four games.
Inter made everything clear with the late 1-0 (0-0) win at FC Salzburg, Real Sociedad had previously easily defeated Benfica Lisbon 3-1 (3-0). Last year’s finalists Inter can plan for the next round thanks to striker Lautaro Martínez. The Argentine soccer world champion scored the decisive goal with a penalty in the 86th minute in Salzburg, which now has no chance of reaching the knockout phase.
This also applies to coach Roger Schmidt and Benfica, who showed a dismal performance in San Sebastián. Former Dortmund player Mikel Merino (6th minute), Mikel Oyarzabal (11th) and Ander Barrenetxea (21st) made the decision before the break. After the break, Schmidt’s team at least improved a bit. Rafa Silva (49th) managed to score quickly, but it wasn’t enough for the quarter-finalists from last season.
Arsenal, with Kai Havertz in the starting line-up, defeated Sevilla FC 2-0 (1-0) and remains the confident leader of Group B. Thanks to their confident success against the Spaniards, the English are on course towards the round of 16. Leandro Trossard (29th) and Bukayo Saka (64th) scored the goals for coach Mikel Arteta’s team.
Meanwhile, Real Sociedad sharply criticized the throwing of the torch by some Benfica fans. “Shame on you, Benfica fans,” the club tweeted on Wednesday evening. “We will do everything we can to identify those responsible. They are criminals,” said President Jokin Aperribay after the game.
Published/Updated: Recommendations: 2 Published/Updated: Daniel Theweleit, Dortmund Published/Updated: Recommendations: 2
Previously, some supporters of the Portuguese football champions had thrown Bengali flares towards the host fans. The game was then briefly interrupted at the beginning of the second half. The visiting supporters were in a block above the Basque fans and threw the flares downwards.
After the game, Real President Aperribay reported that Benfica President Rui Costa had apologized to him for the incidents. “The president of Benfica was ashamed and asked me to apologize several times,” he said. There were initially no reports of injuries.
