[**Real Madrid**](/) **2-1 Benfica** _(Tchouaméni & Vinícius Júnior). Through to the next round..._ Here is the reaction to the uneventful win. Up next: Player ratings, interviews and a podcast.
After the disgraceful scenes in the opening leg, a manager-less Benfica with one less controversial Argentinian would hopefully make for a quieter showing this time around. Still, there was only one goal in it, and Real Madrid would need to progress to avoid the wrath of their own fans. Plenty of players were out for Los Blancos. Gonzalo García started up front for this reason, joined by Arda Güler. Trent Alexander-Arnold was back in the line-up with Fede Valverde looking to continue his form in midfield. The bench was skinny, with four Castilla players and one Juvenil A player called up. Fede Valverde captained the team.
Vinicíus Júnior had the first chance of the game after a give-and-go, but it was Benfica who would draw first blood with a messy effort that would almost land at a forward. That lead would last for two minutes, as Aurélien Tchouaméni started and finished and attack, with a Toni Kroos-esque strike from distance. Arda Güler would then score, but the goal was ruled out for a marginal Gonzalo García offside. Benfica would come close once more before half-time, but the score remained even at the break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold saw a half-chance fly wide to kick the second-half off. Benfica then hit the bar as they started to make their moves. After a somber twenty minutes, Vinícius Júnior scored to put the tie to bed, after being put through nicely by Fede Valverde. Benfica came very close immediately, but the ball went just past the post. Madrid improved after the second goal, but didn’t create much more. Castilla players César Palacios and Thiago Pitarch came on to gain valuable first team minutes, which was great to see. Full-time, 2-1 to Real Madrid, 3-1 on aggregate and Real Madrid are though to the next round in the Champions League. Happy with that?
See More:
* [Real Madrid CF: Champions League](/real-madrid-cf-champions-league)