Match report
Real Madrid Secures Crucial Win Over Benfica in UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid
2–1
FT
Benfica
Feb 25, 2026
In an intense UEFA Champions League encounter, Real Madrid narrowly secured a crucial 2-1 win against Benfica. The match was marked by early exchanges of goals and key tactical substitutions that shifted the momentum towards the Spanish giants.
Key Facts
- • Rafa Silva scored for Benfica in the 14th minute, giving them an early lead.
- • Aurélien Tchouaméni equalized for Real Madrid just two minutes later with a goal from F. Valverde's assist.
- • Vinicius Junior provided the winning goal for Real Madrid at the 80th minute, again assisted by F. Valverde.
- • Real Madrid made several key substitutions in the second half, including bringing on D. Alaba and T. Pitarch.
Lineups
Real Madrid
Formation: 4-4-2
Starting XI
- 1 Thibaut Courtois (G)
- 12 Trent Alexander-Arnold (D)
- 17 Raúl Asencio (D)
- 22 Antonio Rüdiger (D)
- 18 Álvaro Carreras (D)
- 8 Federico Valverde (M)
- 15 Arda Güler (M)
- 14 Aurélien Tchouaméni (M)
- 6 Eduardo Camavinga (M)
- 16 Gonzalo García (F)
- 7 Vinícius Júnior (F)
Substitutes
- 13 Andriy Lunin
- 26 Fran González
- 2 Daniel Carvajal
- 4 David Alaba
- 20 Fran García
- 23 Ferland Mendy
- 21 Brahim Díaz
- 30 Franco Mastantuono
- 28 Jorge Cestero
- 37 Manuel Ángel Morán
- 38 César Palacios
- 45 Thiago Pitarch
Benfica
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Starting XI
- 1 Anatoliy Trubin (G)
- 17 Amar Dedić (D)
- 44 Tomás Araújo (D)
- 30 Nicolás Otamendi (D)
- 26 Samuel Dahl (D)
- 18 Leandro Barreiro (M)
- 8 Fredrik Aursnes (M)
- 20 Richard Ríos (M)
- 27 Rafa Silva (M)
- 21 Andreas Schjelderup (M)
- 14 Vangelis Pavlidis (F)
Substitutes
- 50 Diogo Ferreira
- 24 Samuel Soares
- 4 António Silva
- 6 Alexander Bah
- 15 Sidny Lopes Cabral
- 62 José Neto
- 5 Enzo Barrenechea
- 10 Georgiy Sudakov
- 11 Dodi Lukebakio
- 16 Manuel Silva
- 9 Franjo Ivanović
- 72 Anísio Cabral
Timeline
-
14' Benfica Goal · Normal GoalRafa Silva
-
16' Real Madrid Goal · Normal GoalAurélien Tchouaméni · Assist: F. Valverde
-
32' Real Madrid Var · Goal Disallowed - offsideA. Guler
-
35' Benfica Card · Yellow CardRichard Ríos
Tripping
-
51' Benfica Card · Yellow CardNicolás Otamendi
-
57' Real Madrid Card · Yellow CardR. Asencio
Tripping
-
77' Real Madrid subst · Substitution 1Off: R. Asencio · On: D. Alaba
-
77' Real Madrid subst · Substitution 2Off: E. Camavinga · On: F. Mastantuono
-
80' Real Madrid Goal · Normal GoalVinicius Junior · Assist: F. Valverde
-
84' Real Madrid subst · Substitution 3Off: G. Garcia · On: T. Pitarch
-
84' Real Madrid subst · Substitution 4Off: A. Guler · On: C. Palacios
-
85' Benfica subst · Substitution 1Off: Andreas Schjelderup · On: F. Ivanovic
-
85' Benfica subst · Substitution 2Off: F. Aursnes · On: E. Barrenechea
-
90'+1 Real Madrid subst · Substitution 5Off: Álvaro Carreras · On: F. Garcia
-
90'+1 Benfica subst · Substitution 3Off: L. Barreiro · On: S. Lopes Cabral
-
90'+6 Real Madrid Card · Yellow CardC. Palacios
Holding
Match Stats
| Stat | Real Madrid | Benfica |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 16 | 10 |
| Pass Accuracy | 90% | 86% |
| Offsides | 2 | 0 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 14 | 12 |
| Corners | 4 | 7 |
| Total Passes | 556 | 435 |
| Yellow Cards | 2 | 2 |
| Blocked Shots | 4 | 5 |
| Shots on Target | 4 | 4 |
| xG | 1.11 | 1.82 |
| Shots off Target | 6 | 3 |
| Possession | 56% | 44% |
| Goals Prevented | -1 | -1 |
| Accurate Passes | 502 | 376 |
| Shots Inside Box | 10 | 8 |
| Saves | 4 | 2 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 4 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ The equalizing goal from Aurélien Tchouaméni within two minutes of Rafa Silva's opener for Benfica was crucial in maintaining Real Madrid's momentum.
- ▸ Vinicius Junior's late goal at the 80th minute shifted the balance decisively towards Real Madrid, ensuring they maintained their lead and secured a vital victory.