Real Madrid Fight Back to Reach UCL Round of 16
February 25, 2026
227d agoIn a hard-fought UEFA Champions League playoff second-leg tie at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium in Madrid, Real Madrid overcame a resilient Benfica side with a 2–1 victory to secure a 3–1 aggregate win and book their place in the Round of 16 of Europe’s premier club competition.
The Portuguese visitors stunned the home crowd early by taking the lead, but Los Blancos responded strongly to control proceedings and deliver on their qualification ambitions.
Benfica drew first blood in the 14th minute when Rafa Silva capitalised on a loose ball in the box to put the away side ahead on the night and level the aggregate score. The early goal sent a jolt through the Bernabéu, but Real Madrid answered swiftly. Just two minutes later, Aurélien Tchouaméni fired a powerful effort from the edge of the box to bring the hosts back on level terms, restoring their advantage in the overall tie.
The decisive moment came midway through the second half as Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior, who also scored the only goal in last week’s first leg, struck again to give Real Madrid the lead they needed. His composed finish into the corner cemented the 2–1 victory on the night and ensured Real’s progression, marking another important milestone in their quest for European glory this season.
Despite a spirited performance from Benfica, who looked organised and dangerous early on, Real Madrid’s experience and attacking quality ultimately made the difference.
With this win, Los Blancos extend their remarkable run of appearances in the Champions League last 16 — a streak they will look to build on as the competition moves into the knockout stages later this year.
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