Real Madrid overcame an early deficit at the Santiago Bernabéu to defeat Benfica 2-1, progressing to the Champions League last-16 with a 3-1 aggregate victory.
The “Kings of Europe” demonstrated their resilience on Wednesday night, fighting back after Benfica threatened an upset.
Despite missing heavyweights like Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham, Alvaro Arbeloa’s men dominated the latter stages of the contest.
While Rafa Silva silenced the home crowd early on, the response was swift and clinical, ensuring Madrid’s European pedigree remained intact as they “dumped” the Portuguese giants out of the competition.
The turning point arrived through sheer individual brilliance and tactical discipline. After leveling the scores, Los Blancos tightened their grip on the match, frustrating Benfica’s direct counter-attacking style.
The defining moment of the evening was Vinícius Júnior’s clinical finish and subsequent celebration, which sent the Bernabéu into raptures and signaled the end of Benfica’s continental journey.
Player Ratings & Performance Analysis
Thibaut Courtois (6/10):
The Belgian giant produced his trademark reliable saves throughout the evening. While he was perhaps slightly out of position for Benfica’s opening goal, his presence remained vital in the closing stages to prevent any late drama.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (6/10):
The English full-back was a constant threat going forward, distributing the ball with precision. However, he faced some difficult moments defensively, occasionally struggling to contain Benfica’s pace on the wings during the first half.
Raul Asencio (5/10):
A difficult night for the youngster, who was nearly responsible for an own goal during the sequence leading to Silva’s opener. His match ended prematurely due to a concerning neck injury that required him to be stretchered off.
Antonio Rudiger (6/10):
The veteran defender provided the necessary steel at the back. He commanded his area with authority and made several crucial interceptions that stifled the visitors’ momentum when they looked most dangerous.
Alvaro Carreras (6/10):
Occupying the left flank, Carreras provided excellent balance to the side. He supported Vinícius Júnior effectively in attack and maintained a disciplined defensive shape to keep the backline tidy.
Federico Valverde (7/10):
The Uruguayan’s energy was infectious. He registered a vital assist with a perfectly weighted cut-back for the equalizer, marking his second assist in consecutive matches and proving why he is indispensable to the midfield.
Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):
Tchouameni was the heartbeat of the team, dictating the tempo and breaking up play. He capped a fine performance with a spectacular strike from the edge of the box to bring Madrid back into the game.
Arda Guler (6/10):
On his 21st birthday, the Turkish star showed flashes of brilliance and had a goal narrowly ruled out by VAR. While composed on the ball, he lacked the physical presence needed to dominate the midfield battle.
Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):
Deployed on the left side of the midfield, Camavinga was a defensive wall. He won the majority of his duels and was instrumental in transitioning the ball from defense to attack with speed and accuracy.
Gonzalo Garcia (6/10):
Tasked with a starting role in a depleted front line, Garcia worked tirelessly off the ball. While his work rate was commendable, he struggled to find clear-cut opportunities to test the goalkeeper directly.
Vinicius Jr (8/10):
The undisputed star of the show. His relentless running terrified the Benfica defense, and he eventually put the tie beyond doubt with a composed finish. His post-goal dance served as the final exclamation point on a dominant performance.