Player Ratings: Real Madrid 2 – 1 Benfica

Madrid’s passage to the next round was never in doubt, yet the 2-1 scoreline over Benfica at a raucous Santiago Bernabéu told the story of a night that veered between comfort and anxiety. In the end, individual brilliance and decisive interventions proved the difference, allowing the hosts to clinch progression amid a flurry of late pressure.

Thibaut Courtois underlined why elite goalkeeping can tilt ties, producing four vital saves including a first-half stop of the highest order. The Belgian was blameless for the concession, left isolated as Benfica countered ruthlessly. Ahead of him, Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a mixed evening: targeted repeatedly down Madrid’s right, he was breached more than once, yet his range of passing repeatedly dissected the Portuguese back line and manufactured danger inside the area.

Central defensive concerns resurfaced for the home side. Raúl Asencio’s performance was turbulent even before a second-half collision ended with the youngster stretchered off; the focus now shifts to his recovery. Antonio Rüdiger lived a similar narrative, struggling against balls lofted behind the defensive line, but the German’s willingness to throw himself into blocks and headers steadied nerves during the closing exchanges. Left-back Álvaro Carreras impressed in one-on-one duels and showed welcome aggression, though a pair of second-half gambles granted Benfica space that nearly proved costly.

Midfield proved the platform on which Madrid built control. Fede Valverde delivered arguably his most complete display of the campaign, scorching down the right channel, supplying two assists and four key passes, and embodying the relentless engine that drove the team forward. Alongside him, Aurélien Tchouaméni was immense: dominant aerially, crisp in distribution, and the architect of the breakthrough via a sumptuous strike that arrowed into the top corner. Arda Güler celebrated his 100th club appearance and 21st birthday with a performance of subtle craft, linking play intelligently despite occasional physical discomfort, while Eduardo Camavinga shook off early ball-watching that led to the visitor’s equaliser to combine smoothly with Tchouaméni and offer timely support to Carreras.

In attack, Gonzalo García found it hard to impose himself on possession but occupied defenders shrewdly, creating room for the irrepressible Vinícius Jr. The Brazilian tormented full-back Dedic throughout, his searing dribbles and unpredictable changes of direction a constant threat, and he applied the coup de grâce with a decisive finish early in the second half that ultimately settled the tie.

Late introductions added steel rather than sparkle. David Alaba replaced the stricken Asencio to bring composure and positional acumen, Franco Mastantuono adhered to a brief that prioritised ballast over brilliance, and the youthful trio of Thiago Pitarch, César Palacios and Fran García saw out the dying embers without meaningful incident, though Pitarch’s tidy build-up and Palacios’ elegant touches hinted at promise.

The result books Madrid’s place in the hat for the next stage and offers coach and squad a timely reminder: when individual quality marries collective resilience, even the rockiest passages can be navigated successfully.