Benfica gave Real Madrid quite the fright on Wednesday when they leveled their UEFA Champions League playoff tie with an early goal, but the 15-time European champions responded emphatically and are through to the round of 16.
MORE — UEFA Champions League playoff schedule
Rafa Silva put Benfica 1-0 ahead on the night (and level at 1-1 on aggregate) in the 14th minute, but Real Madrid ahead again just 2 minutes, 44 seconds later when Aurelien Tchouameni smashed a right-footed strike past Anatoliy Trubin.
Thibaut Courtois made three saves on the night (all in the first half) and kept Los Blancos narrowly in front until Vinicius Junior put the tie to bed in the 80th minute. Federic Valverde played him into acres of space near the center circle and all he had to do was sprint away from one defender and stick the ball inside the far post with the inside of his right foot, before wheeling away to dance at the corner flag once again. Valverde also assisted Tchouameni’s goal was a clever cut-back to the top of the penalty area.
Real Madrid will face either Manchester City or another Portuguese side, Sporting CP, in the round of 16. The draw will be held on Friday at 6 am ET.
Real Madrid vs Benfica live updates - by Andy Edwards
Real Madrid vs Benfica final score: 2-1 (3-1 agg.)
Goalscorers: Rafa Silva (14'), Aurelien Tchouameni (16'), Vinicius Junior (80')
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 (3-1 agg.) Benfica: Vinicius puts the tie to bed (80')
Vinícius Júnior is dancing again 🕺🔥 pic.twitter.com/X0GSvzSF87
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 25, 2026
OFFSIDE! Arda Guler’s goal ruled out after Gonzalo Garcia’s shoulder was offside (32')
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 (2-1 agg.) Benfica: Tchouameni immediately restores the lead (16')
GOAL! Real Madrid 0-1 (1-1 agg.) Benfica: Silva cleans up an almighty mess (14')
14' Real Madrid 0-1 Benfica
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) February 25, 2026
16' Real Madrid 1-1 Benfica
This game is heating up 🍿 pic.twitter.com/e8fHB6XDRq
Real Madrid starting XI
Courtois - Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rudiger, Carreras - Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, Guler - Garcia, Vinicius
Benfica starting XI
Trubin - Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl - Rios, Barreiro, Silva - Aursnes, Schjelderup, Pavlidis
How to watch Real Madrid vs Benfica live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Wednesday (February 25)
Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabeu — Madrid, Spain
TV Channel/Streaming: Paramount+
Alvaro Arbeloa’s side has Vinicius Junior to thank for its slim margin, after the Brazilian worked his magic and scored a wondergoal in Lisbon last week. The moment was quickly marred when Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni allegedly racially abused Vinicius just before the game was set to restart after the goal. Prestianni was suspended by UEFA this week and will miss the second leg, as will Benfica boss (and former Madrid manager) Jose Mourinho, who was sent off in the 85th minute.
Real Madrid will likely be without superstar forward Kylian Mbappe, though, as the Frenchman deals with a lingering knee issue. Mbappe is said to have been affected by the injury in recent months and missed Madrid’s league game against Real Sociedad three days before the first leg against Benfica.
Real Madrid team news, focus
OUT: Rodrygo (suspension), Jude Bellingham (hamstring), Eder Militao (leg), Dani Ceballos (thigh) | QUESTIONABLE: Kylian Mbappe (knee), Dean Huijsen (calf)
Benfica team news, focus
OUT: Jose Mourinho (suspension), Gianluca Prestianni (suspension) | QUESTIONABLE: Joao Veloso (shoulder), Samuel Soares (undisclosed)
Real Madrid vs Benfica prediction
With a couple of key injuries across their backline, Madrid might just need a goal (or two) to see this one out as Benfica otherwise have very little to lose and should simply go for it. Real Madrid 2-1 (3-1 agg.) Benfica.
