Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League Round of 16 after securing a 2-1 victory over Benfica on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at the Santiago Bernabéu. The aggregate score finished 3-1 in favor of the Spanish giants.
Benfica briefly leveled the tie when Rafa Silva scored in the 14th minute, but Real Madrid responded quickly with a goal from Aurélien Tchouaméni less than two minutes later. Vinicius Junior then sealed the win for Real Madrid with a goal in the 80th minute.
The match was played against a backdrop of controversy stemming from the first leg at Estadio da Luz, where allegations of racist comments directed at Vinicius Junior by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni surfaced. Prestianni is currently suspended by Uefa following the incident, as reported by The Guardian.
Former Chelsea and Benfica manager José Mourinho addressed the situation, stating, “It should be the crazy moment of the game, an amazing goal in a good game…these talents are able to do these beautiful things but unfortunately he [Vinicius] was not just happy to score that astonishing goal and then the game was over. When you score a goal like that you celebrate in a respectful way.”
When questioned about whether Vinicius’ celebration – heading towards a corner flag in front of Benfica supporters – had provoked the home fans, Mourinho added, “Yeah, I believe so. The words they exchange, Prestianni with Vinicius, I want to be independent. I don’t comment about it.”
This result ensures Real Madrid’s progression to the knockout stages, continuing their pursuit of a record-extending 15th Champions League title.
