“Rafa Silva gives Benfica the perfect start with a close-range right-footed finish into the top corner”
Pivotal“Aurélien Tchouaméni restores parity immediately with a right-footed strike from the center of the box, assisted by Federico Valverde”
Pivotal“Vinicius Junior delivers the decisive blow with a perfectly placed right-footed shot into the bottom right corner after a quick counterattack, assisted by Federico Valverde”
Pivotal
Real Madrid
Benfica
Real Madrid secured their passage to the next round with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Benfica, winning 3-1 on aggregate. The Portuguese side struck first through Rafa Silva's close-range finish after just 14 minutes, but Los Blancos responded immediately with Aurélien Tchouaméni's equalizer two minutes later, assisted by Federico Valverde. The match remained tense and physical throughout, with six yellow cards issued as both sides battled for control. Vinicius Junior provided the decisive moment with 10 minutes remaining, finishing clinically from the center of the box after another Valverde assist following a swift counterattack. The Brazilian's winner not only sealed the victory but demonstrated Real Madrid's clinical edge in crucial Champions League moments, advancing them on aggregate despite Benfica's spirited performance across both legs.
César Palacios of Real Madrid has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Richard Ríos from Benfica was awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
César Palacios from Real Madrid committed a foul.
The attempt is denied. Aurélien Tchouaméni of Real Madrid heads the ball from the middle of the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The cross was delivered by Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Corner kick awarded to Real Madrid, following a foul by Nicolás Otamendi.
Thibaut Courtois from Real Madrid has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Sidny Cabral from Benfica earned a free kick on the right flank.
Federico Valverde of Real Madrid committed a foul.
Substitution for Real Madrid: Fran García comes on to replace Álvaro Carreras.
Substitution for Benfica: Sidny Cabral replaces Leandro Barreiro.
Leandro Barreiro from Benfica was awarded a free kick on the right side of the field.
Federico Valverde from Real Madrid committed a foul.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be 9 minutes of stoppage time.
Franjo Ivanovic from Benfica has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Aurélien Tchouaméni from Real Madrid committed a foul.
Franjo Ivanovic from Benfica has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Franco Mastantuono from Real Madrid committed a foul.
Opportunity squandered. Álvaro Carreras of Real Madrid attempted a left-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area but failed to find the target.
Substitution for Benfica: Franjo Ivanovic comes on to replace Andreas Schjelderup.
Substitution for Benfica: Enzo Barrenechea is coming on to replace Fredrik Aursnes.
Vangelis Pavlidis from Benfica has been awarded a free kick in an offensive position.
Thiago Pitarch commits a foul against a player from Real Madrid.
Substitution for Real Madrid: Thiago Pitarch comes on to replace Gonzalo García.
Substitution for Real Madrid: César Palacios comes on to replace Arda Güler.
Opportunity squandered. Arda Güler of Real Madrid attempted a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it sailed over the crossbar. The assist was provided by Franco Mastantuono.
Corner awarded to Benfica after Álvaro Carreras allowed the ball to go out of play.
Opportunity squandered. Rafa from Benfica took a right-footed shot from inside the six-yard box, but it went wide to the left.
assist: Federico Valverde
Goal! Real Madrid takes the lead 2-1 against Benfica. Vinícius Júnior scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, placing it perfectly into the bottom right corner. The assist comes from Federico Valverde, who set him up after a quick counterattack.
Leandro Barreiro from Benfica committed a foul.
Goal! Real Madrid takes the lead with a score of 2-1 against Benfica. Vinícius Júnior found the back of the net with a right-footed shot from the center of the box after a swift counterattack.
Leandro Barreiro from Benfica committed a foul.
Arda Güler from Real Madrid has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Substitution for Real Madrid: Franco Mastantuono replaces Eduardo Camavinga.
Match halted due to an injury to Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid.
The attempt on goal is thwarted. Richard Ríos of Benfica heads the ball from the center of the penalty area, but his effort is blocked. The cross was delivered by Fredrik Aursnes.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match interruption due to an injury to Antonio Rüdiger from Real Madrid.
Corner awarded to Benfica after a deflection off Antonio Rüdiger.
Corner awarded to Benfica after a deflection off Antonio Rüdiger.
Federico Valverde committed a foul for Real Madrid.
Andreas Schjelderup from Benfica earned a free kick on the left side of the field.
Opportunity squandered. Richard Ríos from Benfica took a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area.
Leandro Barreiro from Benfica committed a foul.
Aurélien Tchouaméni from Real Madrid was awarded a free kick in an offensive position.
Corner awarded to Benfica after Raúl Asencio allowed the ball to go out.
The attempt is thwarted. Rafa from Benfica takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Vangelis Pavlidis.
A shot is deflected. Andreas Schjelderup from Benfica attempts a right-footed strike from the left side of the penalty area, but it's blocked.
The pause has ended. They are set to resume play.
Match interruption - Real Madrid.
Raúl AsencioYellow CardRaúl Asencio of Real Madrid has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Rafa from Benfica has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Raúl Asencio from Real Madrid committed a foul.
Missed opportunity. Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid attempted a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area.
Corner awarded to Benfica after a deflection off Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Missed opportunity! Raúl Asencio from Real Madrid attempted a header from the center of the box following a corner kick, but it didn't find the target.
Corner kick awarded to Real Madrid after Richard Ríos allowed the ball to go out.
Nicolás OtamendiYellow CardNicolás Otamendi from Benfica has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Nicolás Otamendi from Benfica committed a foul.
Aurélien Tchouaméni of Real Madrid earned a free kick in an offensive position.
Offside call against Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior has been flagged for being offside.
Richard Ríos from Benfica has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Álvaro Carreras from Real Madrid committed a foul.
Opportunity squandered. Federico Valverde of Real Madrid attempted a right-footed shot from the center of the penalty area.
The second half is underway with the score tied at 1-1 between Real Madrid and Benfica.
The first half has concluded with the score tied at 1-1 between Real Madrid and Benfica.
Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid was awarded a free kick on the left flank.
Fouled by Amar Dedic of Benfica.
The fourth official has indicated that there will be one minute of stoppage time.
Corner kick awarded to Real Madrid after Leandro Barreiro allowed the ball to go out.
The attempt is thwarted. Federico Valverde of Real Madrid tries a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but it's blocked.
Leandro Barreiro from Benfica has been awarded a free kick in the defensive zone.
Aurélien Tchouaméni of Real Madrid committed a foul.
The attempt is thwarted. Federico Valverde of Real Madrid takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Arda Güler.
Rafa from Benfica has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid committed a foul.
Corner awarded to Real Madrid after Nicolás Otamendi allowed the ball to go out of play.
The attempt is thwarted. Arda Güler from Real Madrid takes a left-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it gets blocked. The assist came from Federico Valverde.
Leandro Barreiro from Benfica committed a foul.
Aurélien Tchouaméni from Real Madrid was awarded a free kick in an offensive position.
Another offensive push. Richard Ríos from Benfica takes a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid makes a save in the bottom left corner.
Andreas Schjelderup from Benfica committed a foul.
Aurélien Tchouaméni from Real Madrid earned a free kick in the defensive area.
Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid earned a free kick on the left side of the pitch.
Leandro Barreiro from Benfica committed a foul.
Richard RíosYellow CardRichard Ríos of Benfica has been shown a yellow card for committing a foul.
Richard Ríos from Benfica committed a foul.
Aurélien Tchouaméni from Real Madrid earned a free kick in the defensive area.
Leandro Barreiro from Benfica was awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Arda Güler commits a foul against Real Madrid.
VAR Review: Goal by Real Madrid - Arda Güler.
Goal! Real Madrid takes the lead with a score of 2-1 against Benfica. Arda Güler scores with a close-range shot using his right foot.
The attempt is thwarted. Gonzalo García from Real Madrid fires a right-footed shot from close range, but it's blocked. The assist came from Federico Valverde, who set him up with a header.
Corner kick awarded to Benfica after Álvaro Carreras allowed the ball to go out.
A fresh offensive move unfolds as Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid takes a right-footed shot from outside the penalty area. The attempt is thwarted by Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, who makes a save right in the center of the goal. The assist came from Eduardo Camavinga.
A fresh offensive effort unfolds as Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area. The attempt is expertly parried away by Anatoliy Trubin of Benfica, who manages to keep it out at the top center of the goal. The assist for this play comes from Federico Valverde.
Another offensive push underway. Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's successfully stopped by the goalkeeper.
Samuel Dahl from Benfica has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Trent Alexander-Arnold committed a foul against Real Madrid.
The attempt is thwarted. Rafa from Benfica takes a right-footed shot from the right side of the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Amar Dedic.
assist: Federico Valverde
Goal! It's now Real Madrid 1, Benfica 1. Aurélien Tchouaméni scores with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, finding the bottom right corner. The assist comes from Federico Valverde.
Goal! Benfica takes the lead with a score of 1-0 against Real Madrid. Rafa scores with a right-footed shot from close range, sending the ball into the upper part of the net.
Leandro Barreiro from Benfica has been awarded a free kick in the defensive area.
Federico Valverde committed a foul for Real Madrid.
Vangelis Pavlidis from Benfica committed a foul.
Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid was awarded a free kick on the left flank.
Opportunity wasted. Vinícius Júnior from Real Madrid attempted a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area.
A new offensive push unfolds. Rafa from Benfica takes a right-footed shot from the left side of the penalty area, but Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid makes a save in the bottom left corner. The assist came from Andreas Schjelderup.
A new offensive play unfolds as Leandro Barreiro from Benfica attempts a header from a challenging angle on the left side. However, Thibaut Courtois of Real Madrid makes a fantastic save, diving to the top left corner. The assist came from Andreas Schjelderup, who delivered a precise cross.
Opportunity wasted. Andreas Schjelderup from Benfica attempted a right-footed shot from a challenging angle on the left side.
The attempt is thwarted. Richard Ríos from Benfica takes a left-footed shot from outside the penalty area, but it's blocked. The assist came from Rafa.
The opening half is underway...
Outstanding performance
Real Madrid•MidfielderHow entertaining was this match?
Real Madrid host Benfica in a Champions League knockout playoff second leg with a 1-0 aggregate lead, but the focus remains on the racism controversy from the first leg. With Gianluca Prestianni suspended and several Madrid stars injured, this decisive clash carries extra tension.
