Real Madrid Fail to Secure Top-Eight Spot, Set to Clash with Man City or Celtic

Real Madrid have missed out on a top-eight finish and will now face either Manchester City or Celtic in their next Champions League fixture. Find out what this means for their campaign.

Real Madrid must navigate the Champions League play-offs and face a tie against either Manchester City or Celtic, as they did not secure a top-eight finish despite an easy victory over Brest.

Rodrygo’s two goals and a strike from Jude Bellingham clinched victory for the reigning champions, who required a win in France to keep hopes of an automatic spot in the round of 16 alive.

However, due to results in other matches, Carlo Ancelotti’s team will need to compete in an additional two-legged tie if they want to defend their title.

In their debut Champions League campaign, Brest has also progressed to the knockout play-offs.

After a sluggish beginning, Madrid seized control in Guingamp and rightfully took the lead 27 minutes into the match with an excellent goal by Rodrygo.

The Brazilian, now boasting 10 goals in as many matches, maneuvered past a defender by cutting inside on his right foot. He then deftly switched to his left and delivered a low shot that ricocheted off the far post into the net.

Madrid experienced a significant scare when Ludovic Ajorque’s shot, which deflected off Aurélien Tchouaméni, found the back of the net. However, after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, it was narrowly ruled as offside.

Bellingham increased the lead to 2-0 at the 57-minute mark by converting Lucas Vazquez’s cutback, and Rodrygo secured a third goal after he tucked in a rebound from Marco Bizot’s save.

Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Aston Villa all secured victories, making it mathematically impossible for Madrid to break into the top eight regardless of their own result.

Instead, the European champions have finished 11th and will play against either Manchester City or Celtic in the play-offs. The draw for this match is scheduled to occur on Friday.

Brest finished in 18th place and will compete against either Benfica or their Ligue 1 rivals Paris St-Germain in the upcoming round.

Madrid has been in excellent form recently, having won their last five games and scored 20 goals along the way.

However, their sluggish start to this Champions League campaign—losing three of their first six matches—ultimately cost them automatic advancement to the round of 16.

Their highly regarded attack has rediscovered its form too late—Rodrygo is now scoring effortlessly, but this comes after a stretch of over two and a half months without finding the net.

Likewise, Mbappe now appears to have settled into his role as a central number nine at Real. However, the initial challenges faced earlier in the season—like the costly defeat against Liverpool—have ultimately affected Madrid’s performance.

This means Madrid now faces an additional two play-off matches to defend the title they consider their birthright. Although they’re expected to advance beyond the last 16, it’s still a sore point for Europe’s most successful team that they must take this path at all.

In contrast, Brest will be delighted to have advanced to the knockout stages in their inaugural Champions League campaign.

The French team started off strong, going unbeaten in their first four league stage matches. However, failing to win any of the last four games cost them a top-eight finish.

Eric Roy’s team faced a challenging draw, becoming the first newcomers since Leeds in the 2000-01 Champions League campaign to be defeated by both Real Madrid and Barcelona.