Real Madrid avoided an upset against Benfica, securing a 2-1 victory in the second leg of their Champions League playoff tie at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday night.
The Spanish giants had already won the first leg in Lisbon 1-0, confirming their superiority in the return leg and advancing to the Round of 16 with a 3-1 aggregate score. They continue their steady progress in the competition.
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A Fiery Showdown Awaits in the Next Round
With their qualification officially secured, Real Madrid awaits a formidable challenge in the next round, where they will clash with one of Europe’s football giants: Manchester City of England or Sporting Lisbon of Portugal. This highly anticipated match will be crucial in determining the path to the quarterfinals.
Arbeloa Praises Valverde: “Unquestionably the Best”
According to the Spanish newspaper Defensa Central, coach Álvaro Arbeloa was keen to praise the outstanding performance of Uruguayan star Federico Valverde, emphasizing that he was the decisive factor in overcoming Benfica.
Valverde directly contributed to both of Real Madrid’s goals, in addition to his influential tactical roles both defensively and offensively. He provided crucial balance in midfield and delivered one of his most complete performances of the season.
Despite not receiving the UEFA Man of the Match award, Arbeloa believes Valverde was the undisputed best player, stressing that his impact on the match transcended statistics.
With this victory, Real Madrid sends a clear message to its rivals in the continental championship: the team knows very well how to handle knockout matches, and its ambition does not stop at the Round of 16 but extends toward restoring European glory once again.
