Gazeta Esportiva.com
·26 de fevereiro de 2026
Tchouaméni on Real Madrid’s crucial win over Benfica after controversy

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Yahoo sportsGazeta Esportiva.com
·26 de fevereiro de 2026

Real Madrid finished the job they started in Lisbon (winning 1-0) and defeated Benfica once again this Wednesday (25th), by 2-1, at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium, sealing their qualification for the Champions League round of 16.
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Fate brought the two teams face to face again, and the first leg was decided by a goal from Vini, who reported racist abuse by Argentine Gianluca Prestianni, who was provisionally suspended for this return match in the Spanish capital.
“Today's victory is for everyone who is against racism,” said midfielder Tchouaméni.
In the Spanish capital, the Portuguese side opened the scoring in the 14th minute with Rafa Silva, but Aurélien Tchouaméni (16′) equalized and Vinícius Júnior (80′), who had scored for the Merengues at Estádio da Luz a week ago, netted the winning goal.
It was actually Benfica who put Real Madrid in this playoff with a 4-2 win in the last round of the group stage, a result achieved in a thrilling finish that avoided elimination for the ‘Encarnados’ at the time.
Thanks to this new triumph, Real Madrid now awaits Friday’s draw to find out their opponent in the Champions League round of 16, which will be either Manchester City or Sporting Lisbon.
This qualification also helps contain the beginnings of a crisis at the Merengue club, after last Saturday’s defeat to Osasuna (2-1), which cost them the lead in La Liga to their eternal rivals Barcelona.
* With content from AFP
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