Madrid, Spain – Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League round of 16, after renewing their superiority over Benfica by winning (2-1) in the second leg of the play-off, thus securing qualification with an aggregate score of (3-1).
The Portuguese team started the match strongly, and Rafa Silva succeeded in giving Benfica the lead early in the 14th minute, after following up on a rebound inside the penalty area, bringing the match back to a tie on aggregate.
شاهد الهدف الأول لبنفيكا في شباك ريال مدريد 🥅⚽️#دوري_أبطال_أوروبا pic.twitter.com/qi2NaTkkBN
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 25, 2026But the response from the Royal team was swift, as Aurelien Tchouaméni unleashed a powerful shot from outside the penalty area in the 17th minute, taking advantage of a pass from Fede Valverde, to restore balance to the home team.
⚽ أوريلين تشواميني يسجل هدف التعادل بطريقة تُذكّرنا بتسديدات روبرتو كارلوس! 🚀#دوري_أبطال_أوروبا pic.twitter.com/ofOxae8JRT
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 25, 2026Benfica continued their attempts to find a second goal and almost doubled the score in the 22nd minute, but Real Madrid’s defense and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois maintained the draw.
Arda Güler scored a second goal for Real Madrid in the 32nd minute, but it was disallowed for offside by VAR. Raúl Asensio then suffered an injury in the second half and was replaced by David Alaba.
Ten minutes before the end of the match, Vinicius Junior sealed the victory with a second goal for Real Madrid in the 80th minute, following a perfect pass from Valverde, thus confirming his team’s passage to the round of 16.
🔥⚽فينيسيوس جونيور يضيف الهدف الثاني لريال مدريد#دوري_أبطال_أوروبا pic.twitter.com/omr0ubWWSM
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) February 25, 2026With this qualification, Real Madrid awaits a match against Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16, according to the draw next Friday.
