Real Madrid Edge Benfica to Seal Last 16 Spot.

Real Madrid secured their place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 with a tense
2-1 win over S.L.
Benfica, advancing 3-1 on aggregate and claiming a seventh straight home victory
at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The contest was played at high intensity, with Thibaut Courtois producing key saves
to keep Benfica at bay in an absorbing first half.
The visitors threatened repeatedly after the break, striking the woodwork and forcing
Real onto the back foot.
After a worrying injury to Raúl Asencio halted momentum, Vinícius Júnior provided
the decisive spark, finishing coolly from Federico Valverde’s through ball to settle the
tie.
Real’s progress means they have reached the knockout stages in every season
since 1996/97, while José Mourinho’s side exit after another frustrating European
night.