Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday after a 2-1 victory over Benfica at the Santiago Bernabeu secured a 3-1 aggregate win. On a night that marked Vinicius Junior’s return after last week’s racism controversy in Lisbon, the Brazilian forward scored an 80th-minute winner to halt Jose Mourinho’s side just as their comeback was gathering momentum.
Despite the absence of the injured Kylian Mbappe, Madrid overcame an early deficit to maintain their pursuit of a 16th European crown. While Benfica dominated large stretches of the second half, the clinical edge of Vinicius and a standout performance from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois proved decisive.
The match began under a heavy atmosphere, with home fans displaying a "No to Racism" banner in support of Vinicius. However, it was the visitors who struck first. In the 14th minute, a slick Benfica move ended with Rafa Silva scrambling the ball over the line after Courtois had parried a deflected clearance from Raul Asencio. The goal leveled the aggregate score and silenced the Bernabeu.
Madrid’s response was immediate. Just 165 seconds later, Aurelien Tchouameni collected a pass from Federico Valverde and curled a magnificent strike into the corner from the edge of the box. It was the Frenchman’s first Champions League goal, a timely intervention that restored Madrid’s aggregate lead and settled the early nerves.
The fixture was played under the shadow of the first leg in Lisbon, where Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni allegedly racially abused Vinicius Junior. Prestianni was suspended for this return leg after a failed appeal, while head coach Jose Mourinho was also forced to watch from a private area due to his own touchline ban. Reports suggested Mourinho followed the action from a quiet room via an iPad, though his assistant, João Tralhão, insisted the team maintained "synchronicity" throughout.
With Mbappe sidelined by a knee injury, Madrid lacked their usual explosiveness in transition. Benfica sensed a vulnerability and frequently targeted the space behind Trent Alexander-Arnold. Courtois was forced into a series of world-class saves, most notably a reflex stop to deny Ricardo Rios before the interval.
The second half turned into a grind for the hosts. Rafa Silva rattled the crossbar and Vangelis Pavlidis saw a deflected effort whistle past the post as the Portuguese side pinned Madrid back. The tension increased when defender Raul Asencio was carried off on a stretcher in a neck brace following a collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga, leaving Madrid’s backline further depleted.
With 10 minutes remaining and the Bernabéu whistles growing louder, the deadlock on the night was finally broken. A misjudgment by Benfica’s Tomas Araujo allowed Valverde to pounce on a loose ball in the center circle. The Uruguayan released Vinícius Junior, who raced clear and calmly rolled a low finish past Anatoliy Trubin.
Vinicius celebrated with a dance by the corner flag; a direct echo of his celebration in Lisbon a week prior. It was his sixth goal in five games, a run of form that has carried Madrid through a turbulent period.
Aggregate score: Real Madrid 3-1 Benfica.
Vinicius Junior Form: 6 goals in his last 5 appearances across all competitions.
Champions League: Aurelien Tchouameni recorded his first-ever goal in the competition.
Defensive crisis: Madrid lost Raul Asencio to a serious neck/head injury; Kylian Mbappe remains out with a knee issue.
Real Madrid now turns its attention to the last-16 draw, where a potential clash with either Manchester City or Sporting looms. Arbeloa remained philosophical about the prospect of facing City for the seventh consecutive year, noting, "Let's see what the hot balls have waiting for us."
I’m happy for him: he deserved it. He has shown immense mental strength after a difficult week.Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid Manager on Vinicius Junior