Rodrygo thankful for Ancelotti support as Real Madrid ease into Champions League last 16

Carlo Ancelotti said Real Madrid showed their Champions League pedigree by easing through to the last 16 with two matches to spare following Wednesday's comfortable 3-0 win over Braga.

Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo were on target for the 14-time European champions, who sealed progress from Group C even without rested top goalscorer Jude Bellingham.

Brazilian wingers Vinicius and Rodrygo have been criticised for their lack of goals this season and both responded with classy finishes to help send their team through after Diaz opened the scoring.

Madrid have four wins from four games, leading the group on 12 points ahead of Napoli, second on seven after a 1-1 draw with bottom team Union Berlin.

Madrid have now reached the knockout phase in 26 consecutive editions of the tournament.

"It tells me that Real Madrid have done better than others in this competition because getting through the group is not always that simple," Madrid manager Ancelotti said.

"We are very happy to reach the last 16, but it doesn't mean we're going to switch off in the last two games because for us, all Champions League games are there to show our best level in."

Madrid goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga suffered an injury in the warm-up, with Andriy Lunin stepping in to replace him. The Ukrainian was immediately called into action, diving to his right to palm away Alvaro Djalo's penalty in the sixth minute.

At the other end, Diaz had a goal ruled out for a foul by Vinicius, but the former Manchester City midfielder did not have to wait too long to open the scoring.

Sent through on the left side of the area, Rodrygo cut the ball back to Diaz who fired into the roof of the net from close range to break the deadlock.

The 24-year-old forward broke