Real Madrid achieved their goal of qualifying for the Champions LeagueRound of 16 after defeating Benfica 2-1 in the second leg of the knockout phase playoff. Building on their first-leg advantage, Los Blancos left no room for doubt by once again overcoming the Portuguese side in Spain.
Benfica initially stunned the Madrid crowd when Rafa Silva opened the scoring in the 14th minute. His goal momentarily leveled the aggregate score and threatened to send the match into extra time. However, the visitors’ joy was short-lived; just two minutes later, Aurelien Tchouameni unleashed a sensational strike to restore Real Madrid’s aggregate lead, allowing the hosts to head into the halftime break with the advantage.
In the second half, Benfica threw everything forward in search of an equalizer to keep their qualification hopes alive. However, Real Madrid capitalized on the resulting gaps in the defense, with Vinicius Jr. scoring the decisive second goal to seal the series.
The Spanish giants have now secured their place in the next round. They will look ahead to the draw on Friday, February 27, which will determine whether they face Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon in the Round of 16.
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Real Madrid secured their place at the Champions League Round of 16 and you lived every moment of this game with Bolavip!
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End of the game!
Real Madrid defeated Benfica 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu!
90'+1- Modifications in both teams (2-1)
In Real Madrid, Alvaro Carreras left the field to make way for Francisco Garcia.
In Benfica, Leandro Barreiro was replaced by Sidny Lopes Cabral.
85'- Two substitutions in Benfica (2-1)
Fredrik Aursnes and Andreas Schjelderup were replaced by Enzo Barrenechea and Franjo Ivanovic.
83'- Two modifications in Real Madrid (2-1)
Gonzalo Garcia and Arda Guler were replaced by Cesar Palacios and Thiago Pitarch.
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79'- GOOOOAAAAL OF REAL MADRID!!! (2-1)
Vinicius Jr. extends Real Madrid's lead!!!
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76'- Two modifications in Real Madrid (1-1)
An injured Raul Asencio and Eduardo Camavinga were replaced by David Alaba and Franco Mastantuono.
Vangelis Pavlidis had a golden opportunity in front of the Real Madrid goal, but Antonio Rudiger and Alvaro Carreras managed to produce a stunning last-second block to deny what seemed a certain goal for Benfica.
59'- Rafa Silva hit the crossbar! (1-1)
Rafa Silva nearly doubled his tally and turned the tie on its head after unleashing a brilliant strike that took a deflection off Raul Asencio and rattled Thibaut Courtois’ crossbar.
56'- Yellow card in Real Madrid (1-1)
Raul Asencio received a yellow card.
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55'- Alexander-Arnold almost scores! (1-1)
The Real Madrid defender unleashed a well-struck effort from inside the box that whistled just past Anatoliy Trubin’s right-hand post.
51'- Yellow card in Benfica (1-1)
Nicolas Otamendi received the first yellow card of the game.
The second half is underway!
Real Madrid and Benfica are already playing the second half!
Halftime!
The first half at the Santiago Bernabeu has finished!
40'- Arda Guler nearly scores! (1-1)
The Turkish midfielder's shot took a significant deflection off Nicolas Otamendi, nearly wrong-footing the goalkeeper, but the ball went just wide of the post.
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32'- Goal disallowed! (1-1)
Following a VAR review, the officials have disallowed the goal due to an offside position.
31'- GOOOAAAL OF REAL MADRID!!!! (2-1)
Arda Guler gives Real Madrid the lead!!
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23'- Camavinga with a nice try (1-1)
Eduardo Camavinga unleashed a powerful long-range strike from outside the box, but Anatoliy Trubin was well-positioned to make a comfortable save.
16'- GOOOOOAAAAL OF REAL MADRID!!! (1-1)
Aurelien Tchouameni scores the equalizer!!!
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13'- GOOOAAAAAL OF BENFICA!!! (0-1)
Rafa Silva scores the opener of the game!!
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7'- Cagey opening minutes at the Bernabeu (0-0)
The match has started at a measured pace, with the opening exchanges defined by a slow, tactical rhythm. Benfica have looked comfortable ceding possession to Real Madrid early on, but the Portuguese side is gradually intensifying their press.
GAME ON!
The game between Real Madrid and Benfica is underway!
Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the pitch for the Champions League anthem. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
Real Madrid doing warm up activities!
Real Madrid players have taken the field for warmups at the Santiago Bernabeu!
Benfica’s starting XI to face Real Madrid: Anatoliy Trubin; Samuel Dahl, Nicolas Otamendi, Tomas Araujo, Amar Dedic; Leandro Barreiro, Richard Rios; Andreas Schjelderup, Rafa Silva, Fredrik Aursnes; Vangelis Pavlidis.
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Real Madrid lineup confirmed!
Real Madrid’s lineup to face Benfica: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Alvaro Carreras; Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde; Arda Guler; Vinicius Jr., Gonzalo Garcia.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic has been appointed to officiate the clash between Real Madrid and Benfica. He will be joined on the field by Tomaz Klancnik and Andraz Kovacic, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.
Full officiating team:
Referee: Slavko Vincic (SVN)
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaz Klancnik (SVN)
Assistant Referee 2: Andraz Kovacic (SVN)
Fourth official: David Smajc (SVN)
VAR: Christian Dingert (GER)
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Kickoff time and where to watch
Real Madrid vs Benfica will get underway at the Santiago Bernabeu at 3:00 PM (ET).
DirecTV Stream will be the primary option to watch Real Madrid vs Benfica in the USA. The other option to enjoy the game are: Paramount+, UniMás, TUDN and ViX.
Real Madrid and Benfica clash in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff second leg
Welcome to our live blog of the UEFA Champions League, where Real Madrid face Benfica today at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoff!
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he now covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.
