Vinícius Jr. seals Real Madrid progress amid Benfica boos in Real Madrid - Benfica tie
Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League round of 16 after a 2-1 victory over Benfica at the Bernabéu on Wednesday, completing a 3-1 aggregate win in the play-off round. The result matters now because it both secures Los Blancos’ place in the knockout phase and leaves questions over squad fitness as multiple players required attention during the match.
Real Madrid - Benfica at the Bernabéu
Real Madrid overcame a difficult start to claim a 2-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu, ensuring a 3-1 aggregate success in the two-legged tie. Benfica’s early pressure made it hard for Madrid to play out from the back; those opening problems were described by coach Álvaro Arbeloa as the main obstacle until his side improved after half‑time. The win sends Los Blancos into the Champions League last 16, though Arbeloa warned that the team will have to lift its level to progress further in the competition.
Álvaro Arbeloa on Kylian Mbappé, Raul Asencio and squad response
Álvaro Arbeloa addressed several post-match issues. He said it had been difficult for his side early on because Benfica pressed strongly and Madrid failed to exploit space at the back, but that the team corrected those problems after the break and grew into the game. Arbeloa confirmed that Raul Asencio was forced off in the second half after a heavy blow to the head and that Asencio had been taken to hospital; the coach believes the issue relates to the neck and "doesn’t seem serious, " calling the incident a scare given the severity of the blow.
On Kylian Mbappé, who dropped out of the squad at the last minute, Arbeloa said he could not draw a clear line between a discomfort and a full injury and that the appropriate course was to stop and recover. The coach added that Mbappé cannot play at present and the expectation is that he could return in "a few days or weeks. "
Tchouaméni and Vinícius Júnior decisive for the result
Aurelien Tchouaméni scored Real Madrid’s equaliser on the night, a strike Arbeloa described as very important and one he expects to be the first of many for the midfielder if he continues to accompany the attack. Vinícius Júnior also found the net, prompting praise from Arbeloa for a performance that was "very unbalanced, scoring goals, creating danger. " The coach stressed that with Mbappé unavailable, Vinícius must be Madrid’s leader and reference, and highlighted that Tchouaméni’s work and cover are often under-recognised.
Champions League night: Atalanta, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, Galatasaray and Paris Saint‑Germain
The evening’s results elsewhere underscored the drama of the knockout playoffs. Atalanta overturned a 2-0 first‑leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund, with goals from Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta and Mario Pašalić putting Atalanta ahead on aggregate before Dortmund levelled through Karim Adeyemi. The tie then moved into late drama when Lazar Samardžić converted a penalty in the 98th minute after Ramy Bensebaini was sent off for a foul.
Juventus staged a comeback to lead 3-0 on the night and bring their tie to 5-5 on aggregate, but they were unable to complete the turnaround as Galatasaray scored two goals in extra time to book their place in the next round; Yilmaz added Galatasaray’s second extra‑time goal. Paris Saint‑Germain drew 2-2 with Monaco and secured a 5-4 aggregate victory, confirming their passage to the round of 16.
Post‑match wrap and immediate implications
Live coverage of the Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica match concluded with sign‑offs from Adam Hancock and Patrick Keddie. For Real Madrid, the immediate effect of the tie is qualification for the Champions League last 16 and a mix of relief and concern: relief at securing a 3-1 aggregate win and concern over injuries and fitness management, particularly with a last‑minute squad withdrawal and a head injury that required hospital attention. What makes this notable is how quickly squad status can alter tactical plans mid‑week, forcing reliance on players like Vinícius and Tchouaméni to carry additional responsibility.
Arbeloa’s assessment framed the night: a hard‑earned win after a shaky start, key contributions from emerging midfield finishing and an unsettled injury picture that the club will monitor closely in the coming days and weeks.
