MADRID, SPAIN — The Santiago Bernabéu held its breath deep into the second half before Vinícius Júnior delivered the moment of quality that separated these two sides, his 80th-minute finish sealing a hard-fought 2-1 victory for Real Madrid over Benfica in the UEFA Champions League. The defending champions, who had surrendered an early lead and spent much of the evening chasing a winner, were rescued by their Brazilian talisman in a contest that ebbed and flowed with genuine tension throughout.
It was Aurélien Tchouaméni who broke the deadlock first, the French midfielder drilling a right-footed effort from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner in the 16th minute, with Federico Valverde providing the assist. The Bernabéu roared its approval, but the celebration was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Rafa silenced the home crowd with a clinical finish from very close range, his right-footed shot arrowing into the high centre of the goal to level matters at 1-1. It was a sucker punch that Benfica thoroughly deserved, the visitors showing early intent and refusing to be overawed by the occasion.
The remainder of the first half was a frantic, back-and-forth affair. In the 24th minute, Real Madrid came agonisingly close to restoring their lead in quick succession. First, Vinícius Júnior unleashed a right-footed drive from outside the box, only for Anatoliy Trubin to push it away in the centre of the goal. Moments later, Eduardo Camavinga tried his luck with a left-footed effort from distance, again assisted by Valverde, but Trubin was equal to it once more, tipping the shot away at the top centre of the goal. The Ukrainian goalkeeper was earning his wages.
The second half opened with Benfica growing in confidence. Rafa, Richard Ríos, Andreas Schjelderup, and Vangelis Pavlidis all tested Real Madrid's defensive resolve, with several attempts blocked or off-target as the visitors pressed for a lead they might have deserved. Raúl Asencio was booked in the 57th minute for a foul on Rafa, adding to the tension, before an injury to the same defender in the 71st minute forced Carlo Ancelotti's hand, with Franco Mastantuono introduced alongside David Alaba, who replaced Eduardo Camavinga in the 77th minute.
It was in this nervy final stretch that Vinícius Júnior proved decisive. In the 80th minute, Valverde — outstanding throughout — launched a rapid counter-attack and found the Brazilian in the centre of the box. Vinícius needed no second invitation, slotting a composed right-footed finish into the bottom right corner past Trubin. It was a goal of clinical simplicity from a player who had been probing all evening, and it sent the Bernabéu into raptures.
Benfica refused to capitulate, earning corners and free kicks deep into nine minutes of added time, with Thibaut Courtois and the Real Madrid defence holding firm under sustained pressure. Álvaro Carreras missed a late chance to extend the lead, but it mattered little — the points were heading to the home side.
The statistics reflected the competitive nature of the contest. Real Madrid enjoyed the majority of possession at 55.8%, yet both teams managed identical tallies of 14 and 12 shots respectively, with 4 shots on target apiece. Trubin's four saves proved crucial in keeping Benfica in the game for so long, while Courtois made two stops of his own. Real Madrid committed 16 fouls to Benfica's 10, and each side received two yellow cards in what was a physical but ultimately fair encounter.
Confidence will be high when Real Madrid face Real Sociedad on March 15, while Benfica must quickly regroup and channel their frustration into their home fixture against Gil Vicente on March 2.