Real Madrid vs Benfica 2-1 (3-1 agg): Champions League – as it happened

Thanks for joining our live coverage of Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica in the Champions League.

Los Blancos march on in Europe, but they’ll need to improve if they are going to make it deeper into the competition.

Stay with Al Jazeera for more coverage of this year’s tournament as well as plenty of other sport.

For now, from me, Adam Hancock, and my colleague Patrick Keddie, goodbye!

Its all over in Turin and Juventus are out!

The home side went 3-0 up to bring the game back to 5-5 on aggregate, but they couldn’t complete the comeback as Galatasaray scored two goals in extra time to book their place in the next round.

An extraordinary Champions League tie.

Los Blancos have booked their place in the round of 16 after a 2-1 win over Benfica at the Bernabeu.

You can read more about it in our match report here.

That looks to have sealed it for the Turkish giants.

Yilmaz has added a second goal for Galatasaray in extra time. Juventus lead 3-2 on the night but trail 5-7 on aggregate.

This evening started with a fantastic game in Italy as Atalanta overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit against Borussia Dortmund.

Goals from Gianluca Scamacca, Davide Zappacosta and Mario Pasalic put Atalanta ahead on aggregate, but Dortmund levelled up the tie through Karim Adeyemi.

The game looked to be heading to extra time, but Lazar Samardzic scored from the spot in the 98th minute after Ramy Bensebaini was sent off for a foul.

Elsewhere and Paris Saint-Germain drew 2-2 with Monaco this evening, securing a 5-4 aggregate victory.

Paris secure their place in the round of 16 🔒#UCL pic.twitter.com/xUEj0PPPu1

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 25, 2026

5 – Vinícius Júnior has scored in his last five appearances for Real Madrid in all competitions (six goals), equalling his best scoring run for the club (five games also between August and September 2022, five goals). Samba. pic.twitter.com/XyQ3mPODps

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 25, 2026

After scoring his first-ever Champions League goal, the French midfielder has been picked as the player of the match.

The UEFA Technical Observer Group said he “was involved in much of Madrid’s play” and was “good on and off the ball”.

🏆 ¡Otro trofeo de MVP para @ATchouameni! pic.twitter.com/Z4Kovl725m

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 25, 2026

This tie is throwing up more drama!

The Turkish side have pulled a goal back in extra time through Victor Osimhen. They may be losing 3-1 on the night, but now lead 6-5 on aggregate.

It’s now half-time in extra time.

The Champions League draw will take place on Friday morning at 11:00 GMT.

Real Madrid have a rough idea of who their next opponents will be – either another Portuguese side, Sporting Lisbon or English Premier League side Manchester City.

Los Blancos have already faced Pep Guardiola’s side this season, losing 2-1 at the Bernabeu in December.

Real Madrid get the job done ⚪✅#UCL pic.twitter.com/25s07nu20r

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 25, 2026

It looked like it was going to be an awkward night for Los Blancos after Benfica took the lead through Silva in the first half.

But the Portuguese side could only hold on to their advantage for three minutes before Tchouameni levelled for Madrid.

Despite that goal, the visitors continued to carve open the Madrid defence, and they had a number of opportunities to level up the tie.

It was much the same story in the second half, with Benfica well on top before Vinicius Junior settled matters.

⏹ Resultado final em Madrid.#RMCFSLB | #UCL pic.twitter.com/ann418hpU4

— SL Benfica (@SLBenfica) February 25, 2026

Juventus and Galatasaray will play for another 30 minutes with their tie level at 5-5.

The Italian side have fought back and lead 3-0 on the night.

Incredible 😳

McKennie's late goal sends Juventus to extra-time in Turin ⏱️ (Agg: 5-5) #UCL pic.twitter.com/ronG8KDX7c

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 25, 2026

Given what happened in the first leg of this tie, it is fitting that Vinicius Junior scored the winning goal of the night.

It came at a crucial moment for Real Madrid, with Benfica knocking on the door to try to level the tie.

The Brazilian danced with the corner flag in celebration – but this time, the focus was all about his football.

😎 @ViniJr 😎 pic.twitter.com/zWpKgrb1Ng

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) February 25, 2026

The lengthy period of stoppage time is over and Real Madrid have confirmed their place in the last 16.

The hosts were far from their best but have found a way past Benfica.

Full-time: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 on aggregate)

The Madrid man picks up a late yellow card for a foul on Rios.

Elsewhere and PSG are through after drawing 2-2 with Monaco. They have won their tie 5-4 on aggregate.

90+8 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 on aggregate)

Otamendi puts an Alexander-Arnold cross behind, and Madrid win a corner.

The right back swings the ball towards the back post, finding Tchouameni, who heads the ball at his own teammate.

90+6 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 on aggregate)

It’s pretty comfortable for Real Madrid in the closing stages of this match.

Benfica were knocking on the door at 1-1, but that Vinicius Junior goal seems to have broken their spirit.

90+4 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 on aggregate)

It’s now or never for Benfica.

Both sides make a late change with Fran Garcia coming on to replace Carreras for Madrid.

Sidny Lopes Cabral enters for Benfica, with Leandro Barreiro heading off.

90+2 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 on aggregate)

But not all hope is lost – there is likely to be a fair bit of stoppage time after that Asencio injury.

Madrid are content to keep the ball now and play the clock down.

90 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 on aggregate)

Off: Andreas Schjelderup, Fredrik Aursnes

On: Franjo Ivanovic, Enzo Barrenechea

88 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 on aggregate)

Drama in Turin as Juventus have a third and are now 5-5 on aggregate with Galatasaray.

Is this the second great comeback of the evening after Atalanta fought back earlier?

87 mins: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 on aggregate)