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By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER Updated: 09: 54 AEDT, 26 February 2026 83 View comments Follow Daily Mail Sport's live blog for the latest score, team news and updates as Real Madrid welcome Benfica to the Santiago Bernabeu in the second leg of their knockout phase play-off decider. You just knew that was going to happen. Some would call it justice. After everything that Vinicius Jr had to go through in the first leg, it felt like the script was written for the Brazilian to have the final say in the tie. Real Madrid struggled for the majority of the night, even going behind early doors after Rafa Silva's opener, but Vini Jr helped turn things around for them. Aurelien Tchouameni put them back ahead in the tie, and Vinicius polished things off with a lovely strike on the counter. I'm now heading off, but thanks for joining. I will see you all soon. It just wasn't meant to be. It seemed like Juventus were set to make the comeback of all comebacks when, with 10 men, they battled back to 5-5 on aggregate against Galatasaray. But two goals in stoppage time from Victor Osimhen and Baris Alper Yilmaz broke their hearts in stoppage time. What a valiant effort, though. Aurelien Tchouameni, Real Madrid midfielder, on Movistar: My word, this has been a crazy night. After Juventus put in one hell of a performance with 10-men to complete a miraculous comeback in their tie with Galatasaray, they are behind. Victor Osimhen has put the Turkish side back ahead on aggregate against the run of play, and now Juve had to climb that mountain all over again. What drama. It turns out Jose Mourinho fooled everybody. It had been reported that he was going to be in the press box this evening, due to his suspension after being red-carded in the first leg. But after avoiding the media before the game, he continued his absence from all things second leg by reportedly staying on the train bus to watch everything unfold. I bet after what he saw, he just wants the motor to start revving so he can get out of there. A not so happy return for Jose. Steve Mc Manaman, former Real Madrid winger, on TNT Sports: Full-time scores in the Champions League play-offs: Want to see the moment Vinicius Jr killed the tie. Before he was sent galloping away, Benfica had built a head of steam and were way on top. But one pass was all it took from Federico Valverde, and once Vini was through, you knew it was curtains. A lovely finish, too. Joe Cole, former Chelsea midfielder, on TNT Sports: That just felt right, didn't it? With the tie being overshadowed by allegations of racial abuse from Gianluca Prestianni toward Vinicus Jr, it was only right that the Brazilian was the player to send Benfica packing. I mean, Vinicius was the only Real Madrid player who caused Benfica problems all night, to be honest. By far the best player on the pitch, for me at least. He is the reason Los Blanocs are through. There we go. It was far from a vintage Real Madrid display, but they get the job done in the end. Vinicius Jr got his moment after all, killing off the Portuguese side with 10 minutes to go. Fitting that he finished the tie. Just blow the whistle ref, so we can all go home and have a kip. Nothing is happening anymore. .. All you have to do is accuse somebody now to destr. ..
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