Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica Player Ratings: Federico Valverde 9/10 as Courtois Inspires Comeback Win 2-1

The Santiago Bernabeu roared with boos and whistles as Portuguese giants Benfica FC arrived after the fiery first-leg altercations involving Vinicius Junior. From the first whistle, Benfica looked sharper, while Real Madrid struggled, with Arda Guler dropping deep as Álvaro’s 4-3-3 shifted into a pressured 4-4-2.

Benfica made it count. A stunning pass from Ríos found Pavlidis, chaos followed, and despite Thibaut Courtois producing a brilliant save, Rafa pounced on the rebound 1-0. The stadium fell silent.

But the response was electric. Aurelien Tchouameni powered home the equaliser after a visionary assist from Federico Valverde. Güler thought he had his first UCL goal, only for VAR to deny him. Madrid dominated possession (58%), yet Benfica’s 1.29 xG to 0.40 told the real story, with Courtois standing tall to keep the tie alive.

The game was a tactical chess match for long periods. Both teams had chances, but it was a moment of magic that decided it. Federico Valverde once again turned provider, setting up Vinicius Junior for the winning goal in the final stretch of the game. It was a heartbreaking end for Benfica, who fought valiantly but ultimately succumbed to Madrid's late pressure in this crucial match. Here are Sportsdunia's Real Madrid vs Benfica player ratings.

Key Takeaways

• Two assists and relentless energy from Federico Valverde turned the game in Madrid’s favour.
• Crucial saves during Benfica’s dominant spell prevented the tie from slipping away.
• Despite lower xG, Madrid capitalised on decisive moments, with Vinícius delivering when it mattered most.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Benfica

Here are Real Madrid player ratings against Benfica.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois - 7.0: A solid performance from the big Belgian. He couldn't do much about the goal but made four important saves, including three from inside the box. What stood out to us was his commanding presence, claiming high balls, and distributing effectively. He was a calm head when Benfica were applying pressure.

Defenders

Trent Alexander-Arnold - 6.5: A mixed bag of a performance from our perspective. He whipped in some dangerous crosses, creating two chances and nearly getting an assist. However, defensively, he was exposed. Being dribbled past four times is not a good look. We noticed he struggled with Benfica's pace on the counter. His attacking output saves his rating from being lower.

Antonio Rüdiger - 7.0: A typically robust display from the German international. He was a rock at the back, making crucial clearances and interceptions. His pass accuracy of 97% shows his composure on the ball. He marshaled the backline well, especially in the second half.

Raúl Asencio - 5.0: A really tough night for the defender. He was caught out of position several times, and his error leading to the goal was a massive blow. Seemed to lack confidence after the mistake. He was dribbled past twice and picked up a yellow card for a clumsy challenge.

Álvaro Carreras - 7.0: A very promising display from the young left-back. He was solid defensively, winning most of his duels and making four tackles. He also showed a willingness to get forward, contributing to attacks without neglecting his defensive duties. Looked very comfortable on this big stage before being subbed off late on.

Midfielders

Eduardo Camavinga - 7.0: He was a bundle of energy in the midfield before his substitution. His ability to drive forward with the ball was a real asset, completing two successful dribbles. He was tidy in possession and won six of his eight duels. A shame his evening was cut short.

Federico Valverde - 9.0: The undisputed Man of the Match. An absolutely breathtaking performance. He was the engine of the team, providing two incredible assists for both of Madrid's goals. His energy was infectious, covering every blade of grass and creating three chances. He single-handedly dragged his team to victory.

Aurélien Tchouaméni - 8.0: Scored the crucial equalizer with a well-taken shot. Beyond the goal, he was a dominant force in midfield. He won an incredible nine duels and drew five fouls, constantly breaking up Benfica's play. His passing was incisive, and he provided a strong shield for the defense.

Arda Güler - 7.5: The Turkish wonderkid was a livewire. He scored what was initially thought to be the go-ahead goal, showing great predatory instincts. He was always looking to create, linking up play and taking on defenders. His five recoveries show a willingness to work hard for the team, too.

Forwards

Vinicius Junior - 8.0: The match-winner. He was a constant threat with his pace and dribbling, but was well-marshalled for large parts of the game. But when the big moment came, he delivered. His goal, a composed finish after a blistering counter-attack, was pure class. He never stops trying to make things happen.

Gonzalo García - 6.0: A quiet evening for the young forward. He worked hard but struggled to make a significant impact on the game. He missed a big chance in the first half, which could have changed the complexion of the match. He'll be disappointed not to have contributed more.

Substitutes

Substitutes: Franco Mastantuono, César Palacios, Thiago Pitarch, and Fran García all came on late in the game but had little time to make a significant impact on the proceedings.

Manager

Á. Arbeloa Coca - 7.5: His team showed great character to come from behind. The decision to trust his key players like Valverde paid off handsomely. His substitutions were timely and helped see out the game. A great European night for the young coach.

Benfica Player Ratings vs Real Madrid

Check out the Benfica player ratings vs Real Madrid.

Goalkeeper

Anatoliy Trubin - 6.0: It was a busy night for the Benfica keeper. He made a couple of decent saves but might feel he could have done better on the second goal. His distribution was solid, but ultimately, he was on the losing side despite his efforts.

Defenders

Amar Dedić - 5.5: A difficult evening for the right-back. He struggled to contain the threat from Madrid's left flank and was dribbled past twice. He lost possession 16 times, which put his team under unnecessary pressure.

Nicolás Otamendi - 6.5: The veteran defender led by example, putting his body on the line with four clearances and winning most of his duels. However, he picked up a yellow card, and his experience couldn't prevent the late winner.

Tomás Araújo - 6.0: A decent performance alongside his experienced partner. He read the game well at times, making six clearances. He was neat in possession but was part of a defence that ultimately conceded twice.

Samuel Dahl - 6.5: He had a solid game at left-back. He was tidy on the ball with a 94% pass accuracy and won most of his duels. He tried to support the attack when possible but was primarily occupied with his defensive responsibilities.

Midfielders

Fredrik Aursnes - 6.5: A tireless worker in the midfield. He contributed defensively with three tackles and was neat in possession. He also provided two key passes, showing his creative side.

Leandro Barreiro - 6.0: A combative performance in the middle of the park. He drew four fouls and was a disruptive presence. However, he also committed four fouls himself and lost nine duels, struggling against the quality of Madrid's midfield.

Richard Ríos - 6.5: He was a threat with his shooting from distance, forcing Courtois into a save. He was also tenacious, winning eight duels. His yellow card was a result of his aggressive style, and he was a bit of a mixed bag overall.

Andreas Schjelderup - 7.0: A very bright spark for Benfica, especially in the first half. He created three chances, including one big chance, and was a constant menace with his dribbling. His influence waned as the game progressed, but he was one of Benfica's better players.

Rafa Silva - 7.5: Benfica's most dangerous player. He took his goal with composure and was unlucky not to have another after hitting the woodwork. He created two chances and was a constant threat with his movement.

Forwards

Vangelis Pavlidis - 6.0: It was a frustrating night for the lone striker. He was physically present but struggled to get into the game, losing possession frequently. He held the ball up at times but couldn't provide the cutting edge his team needed.

Substitutes

Substitutes: Enzo Barrenechea, Franjo Ivanovic, and Sidny Cabral were brought on to try and change the game, but they couldn't find the breakthrough against a resolute Madrid defence.

Manager

José Mourinho - 6.5: His team started brilliantly and executed his game plan perfectly for the first 15 minutes. They were organised and dangerous on the counter. However, they couldn't hold on. His side fought bravely, but they lacked the quality to overcome Madrid at the Bernabéu.

Man of the Match

Federico Valverde was the man of the match.

Worst Performer

Raúl Asencio had a difficult game for Real Madrid.