Real Madrid secured their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday night, overcoming an early scare to defeat Benfica 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu. The victory clinicalised a 3-1 aggregate win in the knockout round play-offs, ending the defiant run of José Mourinho’s side.
The record 15-time champions entered the night with a slender one-goal advantage, but that cushion vanished in the 14th minute. Rafa Silva silenced the home crowd by poking home from close range after Thibaut Courtois had initially denied a deflected cross. The Portuguese side, despite playing without the suspended Gianluca Prestianni, briefly looked poised to repeat their stunning 4-2 victory over Madrid from the league phase in January.
However, the hosts responded with characteristic European ruthlessness. Just two minutes after falling behind, Aurélien Tchouameni levelled the match with a crisp finish from the edge of the area following a clever cutback by Federico Valverde. The goal shifted the momentum firmly back to the Spanish giants, though the tie remained on a knife-edge until the closing stages.
Vinícius Júnior, who had been the subject of intense focus following allegations of racial abuse in the first leg, provided the definitive moment in the 80th minute. Sprinting onto a through ball from Valverde, the Brazilian forward slotted a composed finish past Anatoliy Trubin before celebrating with a dance at the corner flag—his sixth goal in five matches.
The victory was tempered by a late injury to defender Raul Asencio, who was stretchered off in a neck brace following a heavy collision. Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa acknowledged the difficulty of the tie, noting that the team "suffered in the first half" before adjusting their defensive shape.
The result marks the 29th consecutive season that Real Madrid has reached the knockout stages. They now await Friday’s draw, where they will face either Manchester City or Sporting CP.