MADRID: Real Madrid recovered from an early setback to beat Benfica 2-1 on Wednesday and seal a 3-1 aggregate victory, booking their place in the Champions League last 16 after an absorbing contest at the Bernabeu.
Rafa Silva stunned the hosts in the 14th minute, reacting quickest after Thibaut Courtois parried a cross into his own six-yard box. The visitors, trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Lisbon, had started brightly against a depleted Madrid defence.
The record 15-times European champions responded almost immediately. Aurelien Tchouameni levelled two minutes later, steering Federico Valverde’s cutback inside the right post.The game opened up before halftime, with Arda Guler having a goal ruled out for offside, while Courtois produced key saves to keep Benfica at bay.
Vinicius Jr. struck the decisive blow in the 80th minute, timing his run to meet Valverde’s through ball before calmly slotting home to settle the tie.Madrid, who will face either Manchester City or Sporting CP in Friday’s draw, grew into the match after the break and did enough to progress.
“We didn’t start very well, but we remained confident,” Tchouameni told Movistar Plus. “The win is the most important thing.”
