Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica, UEFA Champions League: Vinicius Jr Guides Los Blancos Into Round Of 16

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With the winning goal and another corner-flag dance, Vinicius Junior fittingly had the final say in an emotionally charged rematch with Benfica to guide Real Madrid into the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday (February 25, 2026). Playing a week after being the target of alleged racial abuse in the first leg, Vinicius wrapped up Madrid’s 2-1 win over the Portuguese team — and a 3-1 victory on aggregate — with his team’s second goal in the 80th minute at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, left, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's second goal during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Aurelien Tchouameni
Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni, right, and Benfica's Rafa Silva challenge for the ball during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Leandro Barreiro
Benfica's Leandro Barreiro, left, and Real Madrid's Federico Valverde challenge for the ball during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Raul Asencio
Medics carry Real Madrid's Raul Asencio from the pitch after sustaining an injury during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Slavko Vincic
Referee Slavko Vincic shows a yellow card to Benfica's Nicolas Otamendi during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Arda Guler
Real Madrid's Arda Guler celebrates after scores a disallowed goal during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Aurelien Tchouameni
Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni celebrates after scoring his side's opening goal during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Rafa Silva
Benfica's Rafa Silva, left, scores the opening goal during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez
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Real Madrid Vs Benfica uefa Champions League 2025-26 Playoff-Vinicius Junior
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, center, and Benfica's Nicolas Otamendi, right, challenge for the ball during the second leg of the Champions League playoff soccer match between Real Madrid and Benfica in Madrid, Spain. | Photo: AP/Manu Fernandez

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