Real Madrid Player Ratings vs. Benfica: Vinicius Strikes Again

Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid – Real Madrid survived a nervy night and a patchy performance to edge Benfica 2–1 on the night and 3–1 on aggregate, booking a place in the Champions League last-16 draw thanks to another decisive intervention from Vinicius Junior.

The tie had been framed by the fallout from the first leg in Lisbon, where Vinicius was allegedly racially abused by Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni—an incident that led to Prestianni and manager José Mourinho being suspended for the return match. Compounding matters, Madrid were without Kylian Mbappé and, within 126 seconds, they were behind: Rafa Silva pouncing to silence the Bernabéu.

Aurélien Tchouaméni answered almost immediately, arrowing a low drive beyond Anatoliy Trubin after Federico Valverde’s measured cut-back. The goal settled frayed nerves, yet Madrid rarely imposed themselves. Arda Güler saw a close-range effort chalked off by VAR for offside, and the half petered out amid whistles of concern.

The decisive moment arrived in the 80th minute. Vinicius, jeered whenever he touched the ball, collected on the left, drifted inside and curled a precise finish inside the far post. His dance in front of the south stand felt like catharsis for player and club alike after a traumatic eight days.

Player Ratings

Thibaut Courtois – 7.8: Produced two breathtaking first-half stops, the second a fingertip denial that briefly kept Madrid alive.

Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7.2: Offered little resistance in one-on-one duels but sprayed three defence-splitting passes that hinted at his elite distribution.

Raúl Asencio – 5.9: A rash early yellow set the tone; hesitancy and poor positioning invited Benfica pressure until a late injury ended his evening on a stretcher.

Antonio Rüdiger – 6.9: Commanded the aerial battle and organised a back line that otherwise wobbled.

Álvaro Carreras – 7.6: Given licence to overlap, yet the space he vacated was exploited for Silva’s opener; improved after the break.

Federico Valverde – 8.8: The night’s most consistent performer, he started the move for Tchouaméni’s goal and covered every blade of grass.

Arda Güler – 7.5: Denied a first Champions League strike by the tightest of offside calls, but otherwise peripheral.

Aurélien Tchouaméni – 8.2: A thunderous equaliser and a screening master-class in front of the defence; Madrid’s standout midfielder.

Eduardo Camavinga – 7.6: Filled gaps at left-back, centre-mid and left-wing without ever dominating.

Gonzalo García – 6.8: Starved of service in Mbappé’s absence and snatched at the half-chances that came his way.

Vinicius Junior – 7.6: Booed relentlessly, he delivered the knockout blow with typical composure and now has five goals in his last four European outings.

Substitutes

Franco Mastantuono (77’) – 6.5: A quiet introduction as Madrid closed ranks.

David Alaba (77’) – 6.3: Brought on to shore up the left centre-back slot; largely untested after Vinicius’s strike.

Unused: Lunin, Fran González, Carvajal, Mendy, Cestero, Manuel Ángel, Brahim Díaz.

Next up for Madrid is a last-16 meeting with either Sporting CP or Manchester City. On this evidence, Carlo Ancelotti will demand a swift upturn in fluency; for now, progression and the sight of Vinicius dancing in celebration will suffice.