Real Madrid Advances to Champions League Last 16 After 2-1 Victory Over Benfica

Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-1 win against Benfica on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, completing a 3-1 aggregate victory. Vinícius Júnior scored the decisive goal for Real Madrid.

Match Highlights

Aurélien Tchouaméni opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 16th minute. Benfica quickly responded with a goal from Rafa Silva in the 14th minute. The winning goal came from Vinícius Júnior in the 80th minute, sealing the victory for Real Madrid. ESPN reports that this goal mirrored his performance in the first leg in Lisbon.

Key Performances

Several players stood out during the match:

• Vinícius Júnior: A constant threat to Benfica’s defense, scoring the crucial goal that secured Real Madrid’s advancement. World Soccer Talk highlighted his impact.
• Aurélien Tchouaméni: Scored Real Madrid’s first goal and delivered a dominant performance in midfield.
• Fede Valverde: Provided two assists and four key passes, driving Real Madrid’s attack.

Controversy and Background

The match was played against a backdrop of allegations of racial abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior during the first leg in Lisbon. Benfica player Gianluca Prestianni denied the allegations. Sky Sports reported that UEFA issued a provisional suspension to Prestianni, which Benfica appealed unsuccessfully.

What’s Next for Real Madrid

Real Madrid will advance to the last 16 of the Champions League, where they will face either Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City. Sky Sports confirms this progression.

Attendance

The match at the Estadio Bernabéu was attended by 76,745 spectators. Sky Sports provided this attendance figure.