Real Madrid - Benfica: Vinícius Jr. seals passage but Mbappé knee doubts cast shadow over Champions League push

Who feels this first? The immediate impact lands on Real Madrid’s squad and tactical planning: the club advanced from the knockout playoffs but must now manage Kylian Mbappé’s uncertain recovery as a key fixture run approaches. The real madrid - benfica tie produced a 2-1 win at the Bernabéu (3-1 on aggregate), yet the absence of the 27-year-old forward shifts how the team will prepare for the round of 16.

Immediate effects on selection and momentum after Real Madrid - Benfica

Here’s the part that matters: progress in the knockout phase was secured, but the squad’s strongest attacking option will be watched closely. Manager Álvaro Arbeloa could not give a timetable for Kylian Mbappé’s return, saying the forward will remain out until his “discomfort” disappears. That uncertainty affects match planning for the upcoming string of important fixtures and the Champions League last 16 draw, where Real will face either Manchester City or Sporting CP.

Match snapshot and key incidents from the Bernabéu

Real Madrid defeated Benfica 2-1 at the Bernabéu to win the tie 3-1 on aggregate. Rafa Silva tapped in for Benfica, only for Aurelien Tchouameni to sweep home two minutes later and restore Madrid’s aggregate lead after Real had won the first leg 1-0. Vinícius Jr., who had scored the first-leg winner, curled a finish into the bottom corner to seal progression in the knockout stages.

In the same match, Madrid’s Raul Asencio was withdrawn on a stretcher after an accidental aerial clash with team-mate Eduardo Camavinga. The tie also carried off-field significance: Vinícius Jr. alleged he was racially abused by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni in the first leg; Prestianni denied the allegation, and Prestianni was suspended by UEFA after an appeal was dismissed.

What the Mbappé absence looks like in concrete terms

Mbappé, 27, was an unexpected absence from the starting group. He could not complete training on the eve of the clash and was subsequently ruled out of Wednesday’s fixture because of a nagging knee issue. Arbeloa noted past patterns in the treatment room, referencing Mbappé’s trips in and out of the infirmary over the last eight weeks. After consulting the medical team, the decision was to stop and allow full recovery so he can return “in top form and confidence without discomfort. ”

Arbeloa warned that rushing him back could risk losing Mbappé for more than a couple of weeks; the manager reiterated the club’s priority is to get the France international back to 100% before reintroducing him to high-stakes matches.

Wider Champions League context and short-term fixtures

The victory means Real join 16 teams that remain in the 2025-26 Champions League. Six of those teams come from the Premier League, while Italy is represented by a single club, Atalanta. Real could draw Sporting CP or Manchester City in the round of 16. Historically, Real and City have met 15 times since 2012, producing five wins apiece and five draws; Pep Guardiola’s side won the most recent meeting 2-1 in Madrid in this season’s group phase. Observers note City would fancy their chances unless Real get a few of their big players back from injury. The last 16 returns in March following a couple of weeks of play-off ties.

• Real Madrid 2 Benfica 1 (3-1 agg) at the Bernabéu; first leg ended 1-0 to Madrid.
• Key match incidents: Rafa Silva goal; Aurelien Tchouameni equaliser two minutes later; Vinícius Jr. curling finish to seal progression.
• Raul Asencio withdrawn on a stretcher after accidental aerial clash with Eduardo Camavinga.
• Allegation of racial abuse by Vinícius Jr. against Gianluca Prestianni; Prestianni denied it and was suspended by UEFA after an appeal was dismissed.
• Kylian Mbappé missed the match after failing to complete training due to a nagging knee issue; manager Álvaro Arbeloa stressed recovery until discomfort disappears and warned against rushing him back.

What's easy to miss is how both the on-field outcome and off-field incidents will shape squad management over the next weeks: progression clears the immediate fixtures but raises selection dilemmas if Mbappé’s recovery stretches beyond days.

Practical signals to follow in the coming days

If you’re wondering why this keeps coming up, the real madrid - benfica result cleaned up the tie but did not resolve the team’s fitness questions. Short-term signals that will clarify the picture include formal medical updates on Mbappé’s knee and any confirmation about Raul Asencio’s condition after being taken off on a stretcher. The club’s stated approach is cautious: wait for full recovery so key players return without discomfort.

Editor’s aside: The bigger signal here is that Real prioritized long-term availability over a single knockout game, a choice that may pay off if key players are fit for the last-16 test in March.