Real Madrid beat Benfica 2-1 at the Bernabéu to reach Champions last 16
Real Madrid defeated Benfica 2-1 this Wednesday at the Santiago Bernabéu to secure a place in the Champions League round of 16, finishing 3-1 on aggregate and setting up a tie with Manchester City or Sporting de Portugal after the draw scheduled for Friday.
How the goals unfolded
The game opened with Benfica pressing high and took the lead in the 14th minute when Pavlidis ran onto a through ball and laid it across to the penalty spot; Asencio touched the ball toward his own goal, Courtois saved, and Rafa Silva collected the rebound to level the tie. Real Madrid responded with Aurelien Tchouaméni, who scored from the edge of the area after a back pass from Valverde. Vinicius sealed the win with a goal in the 80th minute. Arda Güler had a goal disallowed after the half hour mark because the run by Gonzalo was judged offside before the Turkish player's finish.
Real Madrid’s defensive moments and decisive saves
Courtois produced a key save on the initial chance that led to Rafa Silva's equalizer and was later described as decisive for preventing Benfica from forcing extra time. In the second half Rafa Silva also struck the crossbar. The referee added nine minutes of stoppage time for the period Asencio spent on the ground following a clash with Camavinga; Asencio was taken to hospital and Arbeloa said he hopes it is only a scare.
Tensions in the Bernabéu and reactions from players and pundits
The atmosphere at the Bernabéu was marked by tension tied to a racism complaint from the first leg that several reports say influenced how Benfica fans reacted to Vinicius. Commentators and club figures offered strong reactions: Marco Ruiz wrote that Vinicius has emerged as a reliable figure in Champions knockout rounds and finals; Aritz Gabilondo criticized Prestianni, saying only trickery and bad arts remain and that he failed at the Bernabéu on the crucial play; Javier Sillés warned that the team has reached the last 16 but its play still does not inspire confidence; Tomás Roncero expressed euphoria after the victory and the qualification.
Players’ comments and bench moves
Players and staff highlighted mixed impressions after the match. Tchouaméni said the team hadn’t started well but gained confidence and adjusted as the game went on, and praised Vinicius’s performance. One speaker noted that Gonzalo's dragging run was the key detail that freed Tchouaméni to arrive at the edge of the area for his goal. Substitutions included Gonzalo and Güler coming off for Palacios and Pitarch. The visiting coach observed the defeat from the team bus during the match.
What this win guarantees and the next step
The win confirms Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16 with a 3-1 aggregate score, and the club will learn its opponent — Manchester City or Sporting de Portugal — in the draw set for Friday. Fans were invited to submit questions about Real Madrid - Benfica in the immediate aftermath, and club spokespeople signalled they will focus on the upcoming draw and recovery for players after the match.
