
UEFA Champions League
8:00 p.mFebruary 25, 2026
Round of 32

Real Madrid*2 – 1
VAT:(1-1)
Added:(3-1)

BenficaBernabéu
Referee: Slavko Vinčić, Slovenia


Real Madrid


Benfica
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
1.11
Expected Goals (xG)
1.82
-1.00
Prevented goals
-1.00
Passing by
502 (90%)
Accurate passes
376 (86%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
1
G
Thibaut Courtois
6.9
18
d
Alvaro Carreras
7.3
22
d
Antonio Rudiger
6.9
d
Raúl Asencio
12
d
Trent Alexander-Arnold
6.5
6
M
Edward Camavinga
7.2
M
Aurélien Tchouaméni
16′
15
M
Arda Guler
6.9
M
Federico Valverde (C)
F
Vinícius Junior
80′
16
F
Gonzalo Garcia
6.3
1
G
Anatoly Trubin
5.9
26
d
Samuel Dahl
6.7
44
d
Tomás Araújo
6.6
d
Nicolás Otamendi (C)
17
d
Amar Dedic
6.0
M
Richard Rios
18
M
Leandro Barreiro
6.3
21
M
Andreas Schjelderup
7.0
8
M
Fredrik Aursnes
6.6
14
F
Vangelis Pavlidis
5.9
Substitutes
72
F
Anísio Cabral
F
Franjo Ivanovic
16
M
Manuel Silva
11
F
Dodi Lukebakios
10
M
Georgiy Sudakov
M
Enzo Barrenechea
62
d
Jose Neto
d
Sidney Lopes Cabral
6
d
Alexandre Bah
4
d
Antonio Silva
24
G
Samuel Soares
50
G
Diogo Ferreira

UEFA Champions League Ranking – UEFA Champions League
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (Play Off: Round of 16)
- Promotion – Champions League (Play Off: Round of 16)
Vinicius Junior’s late winner secured Real Madrid a 2-1 UEFA Champions League win over a resilient Benfica side at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid secured a vital 2-1 win over Benfica at the Bernabéu on 25 February 2026. Vinicius Junior’s late goal was decisive in a close-fought UEFA Champions League clash.
Real Madrid entered the match in good form, topping their group with 12 points from five games. Benfica, however, desperately needed a turnaround in their European campaign. This continental confrontation had significant weight.
The match burst into life early. Benfica stunned the home crowd in the 14th minute as Rafa Silva slotted home to give the visitors a surprising lead.
Real Madrid responded almost immediately. Just two minutes later, in the 16th minute, Aurélien Tchouaméni equalized. Federico Valverde provided the assist and quickly restored parity.
Real Madrid thought they had taken the lead in the 32nd minute through Arda Güler. However, VAR disallowed the goal for offside, keeping the score level. Benfica’s R. Rios then received a yellow card for fouling in the 35th minute.
At half-time, the score remained well balanced at 1-1. Real Madrid needed to break Benfica’s strong defence. Benfica tried to maintain their form and threaten on the counter. The second half promised more intensity.
The second half started with a tough fight. Benfica’s Nicolás Otamendi received a yellow card in the 51st minute. Real Madrid’s R. Asencio then received a yellow card in the 57th minute for a similar foul.
As the game wore on, Real Madrid pressed for the winner. Coach Carlo Ancelotti made tactical changes in the 77th minute. David Alaba replaced R. Asencio and F. Mastantuono replaced Eduardo Camavinga, looking for new impetus.
The decisive moment came in the 80th minute. Vinicius Junior, assisted again by Federico Valverde, found the net with experience. His goal put Real Madrid 2-1 up and ignited celebrations at the Bernabéu.
Substitutions continued as both teams handled the final phase. Real Madrid brought on G. García and C. Palacios in the 84th minute. Benfica countered with A. Schjelderup and F. Aursnes in the 85th minute. C. Palacios received a yellow card at the end of stoppage time for holding on.
Real Madrid dominated possession with 56%, registering 14 shots in total, with 4 on target. His expected goals (xG) stood at 1.11. Benfica, with 44% possession, managed 12 total shots and an impressive xG of 1.82. Thibaut Courtois made 4 crucial saves for the hosts.
This hard-fought 2-1 win further cements Real Madrid’s strong position in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Benfica’s valiant effort ultimately yielded no points, leaving them with an uphill battle.

