Vinícius Júnior raced towards the corner flag, a familiar celebratory dance unfolding, just as he had done a week prior in Lisbon. This time however, the air around him at the Santiago Bernabéu was thick with relief and jubilation. With merely ten minutes left on a tense night, he had broken free, slotting the ball past Anatoliy Trubin and ensuring Real Madrid’s passage into the last sixteen of the Champions League. The 2-1 victory on the night, making it 3-1 on aggregate, was his definitive statement. Fans, released from their earlier anxieties, roared their approval, a point emphatically proven and progression secured.
A Nervous Night Unfolds at the Bernabéu
Real Madrid entered this second leg with a slender one nil advantage from their trip to Lisbon, a match unfortunately overshadowed by serious allegations of racial abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. Despite this lead, the atmosphere in the Spanish capital was far from complacent. Benfica, playing with considerable spirit and determination, seized an early lead in the fourteenth minute through Rafa Silva, immediately overturning Madrid’s aggregate advantage and plunging the home crowd into a state of apprehension.
Benfica’s Early Dominance and a Swift Reply
Benfica’s opening goal was a testament to their impressive tactical execution. A minute-long period of possession saw them transition seamlessly from their own penalty area deep into Madrid’s half. Fredrik Aursnes, a standout performer, delivered a superb diagonal ball that opened up the pitch, spreading play to Amar Didic. Didic, consistently dangerous, dashed inside, connecting with Ricardo Rios’s sharp pass. Vangelis Pavlidis received the ball, sending it across the box where Raúl Asencio, sliding in, inadvertently directed it towards his own goal. Thibaut Courtois made an initial save, but Rafa Silva was on hand to scramble the ball over the line. The roar from the 4,000 Benfica fans in the north stand was deafening, matching the volume of the home supporters.
Benfica’s strong start was not limited to the goal. They moved through the middle with a notable degree of freedom, with Didic particularly influential. Andreas Schjelderup, another exceptional talent, hit the side netting after a dazzling run, and Silva tested Courtois with a futsal-style toe poke. However, their lead proved fleeting. Just two minutes later, Real Madrid drew level. A momentary lapse from Nicolas Otamendi allowed Aurélien Tchouaméni to pass right and continue his run. Arda Güler and Fede Valverde combined expertly to return the ball to him, and Tchouaméni curled in a smooth finish. His subsequent gesture for calm towards the corner flag was a timely message amidst the rising tension.
Courtois a Giant, Benfica’s Relentless Pursuit
The equaliser did little to settle Madrid’s nerves completely. A long ball into the space behind Trent Alexander-Arnold almost undid them again quickly, with Schjelderup running clear and his pass narrowly missing Pavlidis and flashing across the six-yard box. Leandro Barreiro, after a slick exchange with Silva, almost scored from the subsequent corner. Madrid believed they had scored again when Güler struck under Trubin, but the Video Assistant Referee disallowed it for offside, much to Benfica’s relief. The Portuguese side continued their relentless assault. An astonishing save from Courtois denied Rios, and as the second half wore on, frustration and even scattered whistles emanated from the home fans, who had witnessed similar uneasy situations too often this season. Asencio headed over, and Alexander-Arnold flashed wide, but it was the duo of Schjelderup and Silva who truly shone. Another brilliant run from Schjelderup led to Silva hitting the crossbar, and a deflected shot from Pavlidis, set up by Silva, skidded just past the post after Tchouaméni lost possession to Aursnes.
The Decisive Moment and a Final Dance
The tension escalated, turning into concern when Asencio was stretchered off following a clash with Eduardo Camavinga. Time was ticking away, and Madrid, despite edging closer, lacked true conviction in their attacks. Then, suddenly, the breakthrough arrived. Tomas Araujo misjudged a ball, leaving his defensive post and losing possession in the centre circle. Valverde was swift to react, seizing the opportunity and releasing Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian raced away, leaving the Benfica defence in his wake, before coolly slotting home the decisive goal. It was a moment of pure individual brilliance, sealing Madrid’s victory and allowing Vinícius his final, triumphant dance.
Real Madrid’s progression into the Champions League last sixteen was hard-fought, marked by moments of brilliance and considerable anxiety. Benfica delivered an impressive performance, pushing the Spanish giants to their limits and showcasing a tenacious spirit that belied the final score. Ultimately, the individual quality of players like Vinícius Júnior and the towering presence of Thibaut Courtois proved the difference. Madrid now awaits their next challenge, with the prospect of facing either Sporting or Manchester City, a familiar and eagerly anticipated fixture for their fans.
