Real Madrid advanced to the next stage of the Champions League following a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. While the match wasn’t without its challenges, individual performances and crucial interventions ultimately secured the win for the Spanish giants, progressing 3-1 on aggregate, according to reports from ESPN .
The match was likewise marred by off-field incidents, including a reported Nazi salute by a Real Madrid fan, leading to disciplinary proceedings, and continued scrutiny over alleged racist abuse directed at Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior. The Fresh York Times reported that Real Madrid has initiated expulsion proceedings against the supporter . These events cast a shadow over the on-field action, highlighting ongoing concerns about fan behavior and racism in football.
Key Performances: Real Madrid Players Rated
Here’s a look at how each Real Madrid player performed during the crucial Champions League playoff match:
Thibaut Courtois: 8 – The Real Madrid goalkeeper made four crucial saves throughout the night, including a remarkable stop in the first half. Despite being left exposed on Benfica’s goal due to a lack of defensive support, Courtois was largely faultless for the conceded goal.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: 6.5 – A mixed performance for the right-back. While defensively targeted and beaten on several occasions, Alexander-Arnold demonstrated his attacking prowess with line-breaking passes and creating danger in the opponent’s box.
Raúl Asencio: 5 – A chaotic outing for Asencio, marked by nervy moments and positional lapses. Still, the primary concern is his health after suffering an injury in the second half that required him to be stretchered off. His recovery is now the focus.
Antonio Rüdiger: 6 – Rüdiger struggled at times dealing with balls played over the top, particularly during Benfica’s quick attacks. Nevertheless, he displayed resilience in the later stages of the match, making crucial challenges to help secure the result.
Álvaro Carreras: 6.5 – Carreras was strong in individual one-on-one situations and aggressive in his approach. However, a couple of risky gambles left space behind him, preventing a fully solid defensive shift.
Fede Valverde: 8.5 – An outstanding performance from Valverde, arguably one of his best of the season. He was relentless with his runs down the right flank and decisive in the final third, contributing two assists and four key passes. His energy and dynamism were instrumental in driving Madrid forward.
Arda Güler: 7 – While defensively vulnerable at times and potentially struggling against more physical opponents, Güler showcased his quality on the ball on a special night – his 100th appearance for the club and 21st birthday – intelligently linking play and distributing with purpose.
Aurélien Tchouaméni: 8.5 – Tchouaméni delivered an immense performance, dominating duels, pressing aggressively, and maintaining composure in possession. He capped off his display with a superb goal to open the scoring, setting the physical and tactical tone for Real Madrid.
Eduardo Camavinga: 6.5 – Camavinga was caught ball-watching on Benfica’s goal, a costly lapse in concentration. However, he recovered well and grew into the match, supporting Tchouaméni in progressing the ball and providing defensive cover to Carreras.
Gonzalo García: 6 – García struggled to impose himself and find rhythm in the final third. Despite this, his presence inside the box created space for Vinícius Júnior, and he worked tirelessly off the ball.
Vinícius Jr.: 8.5 – A constant threat to the Benfica defense, Vinícius Júnior troubled Dedic throughout the match with his dribbling and unpredictability. He decisively scored in the second half, a goal that ultimately sealed the victory. He was notably booed by Benfica fans throughout the match, as reported by ESPN .
David Alaba: 6.5 – Alaba entered the match following Asencio’s injury and brought calmness and experience to the defense. He was defensively steady and positionally sound.
Franco Mastantuono: 6.5 – Mastantuono didn’t make significant attacking contributions but executed a clear defensive mandate with intensity and discipline.
Thiago Pitarch, César Palacios, Fran García: N/A – Limited minutes prevent a proper evaluation of their performances, though Pitarch showed promise in build-up play aside from one misplaced pass, and Palacios displayed flashes of technical quality.
Looking Ahead
Real Madrid’s victory secures their place in the next round of the Champions League. The focus now shifts to the upcoming draw and preparing for the challenges that lie ahead in the competition. The club will also be monitoring the condition of Raúl Asencio following his injury. Meanwhile, UEFA continues to investigate allegations of racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior during the first leg, with Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni currently provisionally suspended .
What do you think of Real Madrid’s chances in the Champions League this season? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
