{"id":1435141,"date":"2026-02-25T22:40:04","date_gmt":"2026-02-25T22:40:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1435141"},"modified":"2026-02-26T08:57:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T08:57:29","slug":"post-match-analysis-real-madrid-vs-benfica-25-02-26","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-real-madrid-vs-benfica-25-02-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Real Madrid vs Benfica stats and analysis: Vinicius Junior at it again to send Los Blancos through"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>Vinicius Junior broke Benfica hearts for the second consecutive game as Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League round of 16.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Los Blancos<\/em> quickly reacted after it looked like the Portuguese side made it interesting by scoring 14 minutes into the match.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It took Aurelien Tchouameni less than 120 seconds to put the home team back in front on aggregate. Vinicius Junior then put the final nail in the coffin in the 80th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior has scored in each of his last five games for Real Madrid in all competitions (6G).<br><br>He matches his best scoring streak for Los Blancos. ? <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/zKGGByOoAP\">https:\/\/t.co\/zKGGByOoAP<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Squawka (@Squawka) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Squawka\/status\/2026777055409352740?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 25, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, the Spanish side are set to face either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the round of 16 of the Uefa Champions League.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>How did Real Madrid vs Benfica unfold?<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-real-madrid-s-defensive-problems\" data-level=\"3\">Real Madrid&#8217;s defensive problems<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-benfica-s-brakes-on\" data-level=\"3\">Benfica&#8217;s brakes on<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-real-madrid-s-defensive-problems\">Real Madrid&#8217;s defensive problems<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Real Madrid went behind and still found a way to win. But by no means was this a convincing performance.<\/p>\n\n\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/stakemate-bet-10-get-20-in-free-bets\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Stakemate Offer<\/a>: Bet \u00a310, get \u00a320 in free bets<\/h2>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/stakemate?q=gb-all-all-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1422508\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-1024x489.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"489\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-1024x489.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-300x143.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-768x367.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-1536x733.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-400x191.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-419x200.png 419w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-126x60.png 126w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-150x72.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150-40x19.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/01\/06122108\/image-150.png 1986w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><strong>How to claim:<\/strong><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li>Go to Stakemate using <a href=\"\/en\/go\/stakemate?q=gb-all-all-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>this link<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\r\n<li>Download the app and create your account<\/li>\r\n<li>Place your first bet of \u00a310 or more (minimum odds of 2\/1)<\/li>\r\n<li>Once settled, receive 4 x \u00a35 free bets - minimum 3 selections and 2\/1 odds on each bet.<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<div class=\"sq-toplist\" data-bookmaker-id=\"1408906\" data-offer-id=\"1408908\">\r\n<div class=\"sq-toplist__items\">\r\n<div class=\"sq-toplist__item\">\r\n<div class=\"sq-toplist__item-tc\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>#AD 18+ New Customers Only. Place any \u00a310 bet to qualify, min 2.0 (1\/1) odds. Qualifying bet must settle, excluding cash outs. Bonus credited with 24hrs of settlement. 4 x \u00a35 free bets. Free bets min 3 selections and 3.0 odds. Returns exclude free bet stake. Expiry applies. Full T&amp;Cs apply.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Benfica had a strong start, accessing dangerous areas in central zones. Alvaro Arbeloa&#8217;s press still looks uncoordinated and leaves a lot of space between the lines for opponents to exploit. He seemed to have no problem leaving his last defenders one-on-one with no cover whatsoever.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Rafa Silva benefitted from that throughout the whole 90 minutes. He looked physically overmatched in the first leg, but played much better at Santiago Bernabeu.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1435154\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid-32x40.jpg 32w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085051\/rafa-silva-vs-real-madrid.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Another critical problem was Real Madrid&#8217;s defending in the left-hand side. Vangelis Pavlidis often left his central areas as a striker to open up on the right. Meanwhile, Richard Rios &#8212; in theory the right-midfielder &#8212; dropped deep and tucked inside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These constant movements confused Alvaro Carreras and Eduardo Camavinga, responsible for the left side of their 4-4-2 out of possession. Right-back Amar Dedic also had a solid start enjoying all the space he had to run into down that side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It&#8217;s actually how Benfica scored. Richard Rios played a beautiful through ball to Vangelis Pavlidis down the right. It was precisely in the window between Carreras rushing to press and before Camavinga returning to reform the backline.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1435143\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-267x267.jpg 267w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226-40x40.jpg 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/25221408\/BenficaAvgPos250226.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Real Madrid eventually got back into the game thanks to a Nicolas Otamendi error. An incomplete pass in the middle of the park originated a counter-attack from the home side that ended with Tchouameni placing a delightful shot in the bottom corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The French midfielder was one of their best performers as a sort of &#8216;sweeper&#8217;. Tchouameni led all players in duels contested (16) and won (9).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From then on, <em>Los Blancos<\/em> just managed the aggregate lead. There was no real intent from their attacking plays, often going forward just to pass it back and go from one side to the other.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1435155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-267x267.jpg 267w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-60x60.jpg 60w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks-40x40.jpg 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/02\/26085542\/Real-Madrid-vs-Benfica-passing-networks.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>This actually brings us to the next point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-benfica-s-brakes-on\">Benfica&#8217;s brakes on<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Benfica didn&#8217;t make real efforts to change the unfavourable scenario after conceding. It made sense to an extent in the first half. No real reason to go all out and expose the defence if you&#8217;re still alive and down by one goal on aggregate. But it was the plan all game long &#8212; their first substitutions came in the 85th minute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gonzalo Garcia replaced Kylian Mbappe but played mostly as &#8216;bait&#8217; to bring Otamendi out of position. Jose Mourinho, however, had Richard Rios breaking the midfield line of four to drop deep and sometimes even cover for Otamendi at centre-back.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2>SpreadEx Sign-Up Offer:\u00a0<\/h2>\r\n<p>SpreadEx are offering new customers the chance to get \u00a360 in free bets when they join and place \u00a310 in qualifying bets.<\/p>\r\n<p>To claim this offer, follow these steps:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>Create your account by clicking <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/spreadex?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">this link<\/a> or the image below.<\/li>\r\n<li>Register for your account by adding your details. It only takes a few minutes.<\/li>\r\n<li>Make your first deposit then place a \u00a310 single or \u00a310 each-way fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1\/2<\/li>\r\n<li>Get 3 x \u00a310 free fixed odds bets, 3 x \u00a35 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x \u00a35 Winning Favourites spread bets on consecutive days and a \u00a31 racing Race Index spread bet<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1393518\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-1024x523.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"523\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-1024x523.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-300x153.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-768x392.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-400x204.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-392x200.png 392w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-118x60.png 118w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-150x77.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86-40x20.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2025\/08\/06142720\/image-86.png 1338w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<div class=\"bookmaker-review\">\r\n<div class=\"bookmaker-review__bet\">\r\n<div class=\"warning\">\r\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em>Spread betting losses can exceed deposit. 18+ www.gambleaware.org. Place a \u00a310 fixed odds single or \u00a310 each-way bet at minimum odds of 1\/2 and get 3 x \u00a310 free fixed odds bets, 3 x \u00a35 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x \u00a35 Winning Favourites spread bets and a \u00a31 racing Race Index spread bet. \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, the Colombian performed many roles out of possession. Another was to man-mark Carreras, who often positioned himself inside to leave the left corridor to Vinicius. It helped Benfica lower the risks and always have cover for centre-backs or full-backs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it also took one potential forward out of their high press. They did take a few steps forward collectively, trying to bother Real Madrid more and occupy the attacking half. There were a couple of dangerous moments in the second half &#8211; both with Rafa Silva.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other than the goal, however, they didn&#8217;t really have a clean, high-percentage finish near the goal. And in true Mourinho fashion, it always felt like Benfica were attacking with the brakes on. Trying to go forward but in the most cautious way possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">FT: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica<br><br>Los Blancos reach the last 16 for the 29th successive season. \u26aa\ufe0f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UCL?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#UCL<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bet365?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@bet365<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Ad?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Ad<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DdPjFKkxVU\">pic.twitter.com\/DdPjFKkxVU<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Squawka_Live\/status\/2026779875567104249?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">February 25, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It made for a rather dull final 45 minutes. But as their blocks went a little higher, there was more space for Vinicius to exploit in behind. He only needed one pass to go through &#8211; and it did, thanks to Federico Valverde, late on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Brazilian went straight through on goal and placed it beautifully in the bottom corner to give Real Madrid the win and a spot in the round of 16.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/\"><strong>Latest football news<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football betting tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best betting sites<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/betting-sites\/best-free-bet-offers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Best free bet offers<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/accumulator\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Football accumulator tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vinicius Junior broke Benfica hearts for the second consecutive game as Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League round of 16. Los Blancos quickly reacted after it looked like the Portuguese side made it interesting by scoring 14 minutes into the match. It took Aurelien Tchouameni less than 120 seconds to put the home team&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3354,"featured_media":1435145,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Viniciur Junior broke Benfica's heart for the second consecutive game as Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League round of 16.","footnotes":""},"tags":[],"features-category":[],"squawka-category":[],"class_list":["post-1435141","features","type-features","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":{"external_featured_image_url":"","hide_featured_image_pattern":false},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.1 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Real Madrid vs Benfica stats and analysis: Vinicius Junior at it again to send Los Blancos through | Squawka | EN<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Viniciur Junior broke Benfica&#039;s heart for the second consecutive game as Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League round of 16.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-real-madrid-vs-benfica-25-02-26\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Real Madrid vs Benfica stats and analysis: Vinicius Junior at it again to send Los Blancos through\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Viniciur Junior broke Benfica&#039;s heart for the second consecutive game as Real Madrid advanced to the Champions League round of 16.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-real-madrid-vs-benfica-25-02-26\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Squawka | 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