Real scorer Bellingham 'OK' for weekend Clasico

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said star midfielder Jude Bellingham is "OK" after being substituted in the 89th minute of their 2-1 Champions League win at Braga on Tuesday night.

Bellingham scored Madrid's second goal of the night to help seal a win that keeps them perfect on nine points atop Group C through three games ahead of Saturday's Clasico against Barcelona in LaLiga.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

"He is OK," Ancelotti said when asked why Bellingham had been substituted. "His adductors are a bit charged because the pitch was a bit soft. But nothing special. He will recover. He is OK. He is a bit tired, like everybody else. But that's normal."

Rodrygo put Madrid ahead in the 16th minute with a shot from inside the area -- his first goal since August -- after a run by Vinícius Júnior down the left flank, and Bellingham added to the lead in the 61st with a low shot into the far corner.

"It's normal to suffer a little in away matches," said Vinícius, who assisted on Bellingham's goal. "But we played well and scored the goals with the chances we created. And could've scored even more. We have to keep this run going after having won the first three matches."

The 20-year-old Bellingham has not gone consecutive games without scoring for Madrid. The Englishman has scored in each of the first three matchday's in the Champions League for the second season in a row, after doing the same with Borussia Dortmund in 2022-23.

He controlled the pace of the game at midfield to help Madrid dominate early. Braga, which had won five in a row in all competitions, didn't have any attempts on target in the first half.

The LaLiga leaders will now prepare for their first match against Barcelona this season, with Madrid sitting one point ahead of the Catalans after 10 matches played.

"I have a clear idea," Ancelotti said about Madrid's approach for Saturday's game. "After this game, it is pretty clear what we want to do. And that is to try to win. To do all we can to try to win. We have time to prepare. Today I changed the line-up a bit, because some players were a bit sore. [David] Alaba is back from an injury.

"The same for [Ferland] Mendy. It could have been risky, but the substitute players did very well. I liked a lot [Eduardo] Camavinga as a pivot. He played a great game. We will arrive in great spirits at this next important match."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.