Real Madrid's Stunning Champions League Comeback Against Benfica Reveals Four Game-Changing Insights
Real Madrid took care of business at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday evening, claiming a 2–1 triumph over Benfica in the Champions League knockout phase playoff second leg to secure their spot in the round of 16.
The match began tensely in Madrid after Rafa Silva netted the opener in the 14th minute, briefly leveling the tie. However, the remainder of the contest belonged to Los Blancos, as Aurélien Tchouaméni and Vinicius Junior scored to clinch the aggregate victory.
Real Madrid dodged disaster and now progress to the round of 16, where they'll meet either Manchester City or Sporting CP. Álvaro Arbeloa's squad will draw positives from their second-leg display, though concerning questions remain about the team heading into the coming weeks.
Here are four takeaways from another Champions League triumph under the Bernabéu floodlights.
A Much-Maligned Midfield Demonstrates Its Value
A Much-Maligned Midfield Demonstrates Its Value
Since the club said goodbye to Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić in consecutive seasons, the remaining midfield players have faced criticism—justifiably so—for their shortcomings. Matters worsened when Jude Bellingham sustained a hamstring injury in early February.
However, in the season's most crucial match, Real Madrid's maligned midfielders stepped up when it mattered. Tchouaméni became the hero in the opening half, equalizing for the home side with a spectacular curling effort from outside the box, channeling his inner Kroos.
The strike marked the Frenchman's maiden Champions League goal, assisted by midfield partner Federico Valverde. The Uruguayan also contributed to the buildup of what appeared to be Los Blancos' second goal, scored by another midfielder in Arda Güler, though it was ruled offside. Their actual second goal came via Vinicius Jr, again set up by Valverde.
It's been a challenging campaign for all the mentioned players, but they merit recognition for orchestrating much of their team's offensive play in this fixture, finally displaying the freedom and inventiveness that had been absent in recent weeks.
Defensive Problems Continue to Plague Real Madrid
Defensive Problems Continue to Plague Real Madrid
At the heart of Real Madrid's difficulties over the past two seasons has been their fragile, frequently frustrating defense. The team gets dismantled in an instant, and Benfica capitalized on this vulnerability early on.
Choose who to fault for Rafa Silva's opening goal. There's Álvaro Carreras completely out of position, forcing Eduardo Camavinga to chase Vangelis Pavlidis unsuccessfully. There's Raúl Asencio, whose botched clearance attempt left his goalkeeper scrambling for a diving save. Antonio Rüdiger, meanwhile, was casually jogging back, appearing disinterested in participating, while Trent Alexander-Arnold permitted Silva an essentially uncontested run into the penalty area.
The injury excuse for the defensive struggles has grown stale and overused. Certainly, the team would be more defensively sound with Éder Militão and possibly Dean Huijsen available. But the current starters don't need to be world-class to simply avoid unnecessary mistakes or maintain proper positioning.
Defensive mental lapses have cost Real Madrid throughout the season. Whether it's conceding baffling penalties, receiving red cards at crucial moments, or making individual errors with the ball, Arbeloa's defense hinders the team as often as it helps.
Los Blancos may have survived against Benfica, but superior opponents will capitalize on such defensive frailties.
Kylian Mbappé's Absence Casts a Shadow
Kylian Mbappé's Absence Casts a Shadow
It's obvious that Real Madrid felt the absence of their top scorer Kylian Mbappé, who's battling a persistent knee problem. With Benfica playing expansively and pushing forward, there would have been ample space for the Frenchman to exploit on counter-attacks, where his pace would have been decisive for the home team.
Even without scoring, Mbappé's mere presence compels defenses to allocate resources to marking him, creating unexpected space for Vinicius Jr or Güler to operate. Without the striker on the field, Arbeloa's attack becomes much more predictable and easier to neutralize.
Los Blancos weathered their first challenge without Mbappé, but more tests await. Against stubborn La Liga sides determined to defend with ten men behind the ball, they'll struggle to create and convert the chances needed for vital victories.
Gonzalo García is a promising No. 9, but he lacks the ability to single-handedly transform a match. While the youngster can score important goals, there are occasions like Wednesday night, where he managed just 21 touches and zero shots in 84 minutes. Such unpredictability won't suffice for European and domestic title challenges.
Nothing Can Prevent Vinicius Jr From Celebrating
Nothing Can Prevent Vinicius Jr From Celebrating
Real Madrid's matchup with Benfica has been overshadowed by racism allegations after Gianluca Prestianni supposedly called Vinicius Jr a "monkey" in the first leg. The Argentine denies the claims, but was still banned from the second leg while UEFA investigates the allegations.
The confrontation between the players occurred after Vinicius Jr scored a magnificent goal at the Estádio da Luz, celebrating by running to the corner flag and dancing. The referee inexplicably booked him for his celebration before tensions in Lisbon escalated.
One week later, Vinicius Jr answered in his preferred manner—by finding the net. A superb pass from Valverde released the No. 7, who found himself with plenty of space on the left wing. The attacker calmly assessed goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin before placing a right-footed shot into the bottom right corner.
Vinicius Jr headed straight to the corner flag once more, this time before a crowd of white jerseys, and showcased his trademark celebration. The 25-year-old has now scored six goals in his past five appearances, displaying remarkable resilience against adversity that deserves complete admiration.