Aurelien Tchouameni earned the Man of the Match award, while Vinicius Junior scored the decisive goal. Federico Valverde contributed with two assists. However, the standout player for Real Madrid against Benfica was Thibaut Courtois.
Although Courtois didn’t achieve a clean sheet in the second leg, he delivered an outstanding performance in this crucial matchup of the 2025/26 Champions League knockout stages.
Courtois was exceptional, making incredible saves to keep Real Madrid secure during counter-attacks. He had no chance with the first goal scored by Benfica but helped stabilize the team afterwards.
In a star-studded team like Real Madrid, it’s common for goalkeepers to be overlooked. Players like Vinicius Jr., along with midfielders Tchouameni and Valverde, often grab the headlines.
Opponents clearly recognize Courtois’s remarkable talent, with even fans from rival teams like Barcelona acknowledging his skill and stating that while their own goalkeeper is good, Courtois stands out.
Real Madrid is already concerned about losing Courtois in the future, recognizing his crucial role in numerous matches. On nights like these in the Champions League, his performances seem to elevate the game itself—and he proved it again on Wednesday.