Lunin saves penalty after Kepa injury. Real Madrid eases into knockout stage of Champions League

Wed, Nov 8, 2023
Soccer News (AP)

MADRID (AP) - Andriy Lunin saved an early penalty after being a last-minute replacement for Kepa Arrizabalaga, and Real Madrid went on to advance to the knockout stage of the Champions League for the 27th straight season by beating Braga 3-0 on Wednesday.

Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo scored to give Madrid its fourth win from four matches in Group C. Madrid moved five points clear of Napoli, which drew 1-1 with last-place Union Berlin at home in the other group match. Braga stayed third with three points, still in contention for a spot in the knockout rounds.

The Portuguese team has never advanced past the group stage. It is making its third Champions League appearance, and first in 11 seasons.

Madrid got the win despite playing without Jude Bellingham, who stayed on the bench after nursing a shoulder injury this week.

Kepa missed the game after sustaining an injury during warmups and had to be replaced by Lunin, who dived to his right to make the save on the penalty taken by Alvaro Djalo six minutes into the match with the game tied 0-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

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