Real Madrid edged past Benfica with a 2-1 victory at the Bernabéu in the UEFA Champions League Round of 32. The match saw an early exchange of goals with Rafa Silva putting Benfica ahead in the 14th minute, only for Aurélien Tchouaméni to quickly equalize two minutes later with a well-placed finish assisted by Federico Valverde. The first half had its share of drama, as Arda Güler's goal for Madrid was ruled out by VAR for offside in the 32nd minute.
Vinícius Júnior's Decisive Moment
The second half saw both teams searching for the crucial lead. Real Madrid's persistence paid off when Vinícius Júnior found the back of the net in the 80th minute, again thanks to Valverde's creative play. Despite a strong defensive effort from Benfica, they struggled to break through Madrid's defense, led by Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was a standout in midfield with an impressive nine duels won out of 16.
Statistics Provide Insight
Madrid's strategic control was evident in their superior ball possession, holding 56% of the play. Though both teams managed four shots on goal, Madrid's accuracy in passes stood out, with a 90% success rate from 568 attempts. Benfica, despite an xG of 1.98 suggesting they might have expected more, ultimately couldn't capitalize on their chances.
Building Momentum
This victory marks another strong performance in Real Madrid’s recent form, reflecting a green streak in their last five matches, following a notable win against Real Sociedad. Meanwhile, Benfica will look to regroup as they head back to their domestic league, hoping to convert their promising performances into victories.
