Aurelien Tchouameni and Vinicius Jr. scored to help Real Madrid fight back for a 2-1 win over Benfica and book their Champions League last-16 spot with a 3-1 aggregate win in the knockout round playoff.<\/p>\n
Real, who won last week’s first leg 1-0 in a match marred by Vinicius accusing Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racist slur at him, will face Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon in the next round.<\/p>\n
\u26bdGOAL \u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) February 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Benfica started brightly and went ahead in the 14th minute when Rafa Silva reacted quickest to turn in a rebound from close range, but Real responded almost immediately.<\/p>\n Gonzalo combined neatly with Federico Valverde on the right wing and the Uruguayan cut the ball back to Tchouameni, who guided a low shot inside the right post in the 16th minute.<\/p>\n The tie remained wide open until the 80th minute when Valverde won a loose ball in midfield and released Vinicius with a precise pass.<\/p>\n The Brazilian forward beat the offside trap, surged into the box and slotted into the far corner to send the record 15-times European champions into the next round.<\/p>\n \u26bdGOAL \u2014 RT\u00c9 Sport (@RTEsport) February 25, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n
Real Madrid 1-1 Benfica (agg 2-1)
An instant response from the hosts as Tchouameni fires home with a fine finish
\ud83d\udcfaLive Champions League coverage on @rte2<\/a> and @RTEplayer<\/a>
\ud83d\udcf1Play-off round updates https:\/\/t.co\/Enr4MLkVfG<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/Uwq6MBtVpy<\/a><\/p>\n
Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (agg 3-1)
Vini Junior continues his scoring streak with a cool finish and Madrid look well-placed now to advance
\ud83d\udcfaLive Champions League coverage on @rte2<\/a> and @RTEplayer<\/a>
\ud83d\udcf1Play-off round updates https:\/\/t.co\/Enr4MLkVfG<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/LjG3Msvwdw<\/a><\/p>\n