REAL MADRID’S showdown with Brest was delayed by around five minutes due to flares let off by supporters.
Smoke from the flares severely affected visibility, with kick-off in the Champions League clash pushed back to allow the air to clear.
After a delay of around five minutes, the match was finally able to get underway.
With all 18 Champions League games on Wednesday supposed to kick-off simultaneously, the delay caused a headache for Uefa bosses.
Ligue 1 side Brest are enjoying their first-ever European campaign.
But they have not been able to play matches at their Stade Francis-Le Ble home, as it does not meet Uefa regulations.
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Instead they have had to host Europe’s elite at Stade de Roudourou in Guingamp, around 70 miles away.
Despite the distance, their supporters have done their best to make the 19,033-capacity stadium home for their European games.
Surprise packages of this season’s Champions League, the French debutants have already beaten PSV Eindhoven and Sturm Graz in Guingamp, while they have drawn with German champions Bayer Leverkusen at their temporary home.
Real Madrid appeared unbothered by the slight delay to proceedings.
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Winger Rodrygo gave the European heavyweights the lead shortly before the half hour, before they powered to a 3-0 victory.
The two sides met on a chaotic final matchday in this season’s Champions League league phase.
Brest had gone into the match a point ahead of their esteemed visitors and will now contest the playoffs for a spot in the last-16.
Elsewhere on the night, Manchester City hosted Belgian side Club Brugge.
Ahead of the game emergency services had to be called after a huge fire broke out just outside the Etihad Stadium.
The incident occurred under two hours before kick-off, with footage showing a City club merchandise van up in flames.
The match was able to kick-off at 8pm as planned.
City booked their place in the Champions League play-offs with a 3-1 win – but not without a scare first.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
