Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica - Vinícius Júnior ends the Eagles’ Champions League campaign | OneFootball

Benfica’s UEFA Champions League campaign came to an end at Estadio Bernabéu where they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in the play-off second leg.

Trailing 1-0 after an eventful first leg in Lisboa that was dominated by Vinícius Júnior, it was inevitable that the Brazilian would play another leading role in the Spanish capital.

Benfica started well and took the lead in the 14th minute. Vangelis Pavlidis’ cross was nearly turned into his own net by Raúl Asencio, Thibaut Courtois making the save but unable to collect the ball which was left on a plate for Rafa Silva.

The lead would last just four minutes. A simple move down the right wing saw Federico Valverde pick out Aurélien Tchouaméni on the edge of the box, the midfielder measuring the ball into the bottom corner.

Arda Güler scored in the 32nd minute with the goal ruled out due to Gonzalo García being caught offside by the VAR.

Richard Ríos forced a sharp save from Courtois and Güler’s shot was deflected wide by Nicolás Otamendi on the stroke of half-time.

Valverde couldn't convert Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross before the right-back narrowly missed the target. The back and forth nature of the contest continues, Rafa’s shot deflected off the bar by Asencio and Pavlidis seeing his effort deflected wide.

The tie was settled in the 80th minute and it was no surprise who ended Benfica’s hopes. Vinícius Júnior ran onto Valverde’s pass, surged into the box and made it look easy, nonchalantly passing the ball past Trubin.

Rafa went close but it wasn’t to be for José Mourinho’s side. The Eagles did well to recover from a shocking start and sneak into the play-offs, but they were always outsiders to win the Champions League and can now focus solely on their attempt to overtake Sporting Clube de Portugal and Porto in the Primeira Liga.