Real Madrid are through to the Champions League last 16, but they didn’t half make it hard for themselves.
The 15 time kings of Europe overturned a first leg deficit and then some, beating Benfica 2-1 at the Bernabeu to seal a 3-1 aggregate win . But for a few minutes there, the Spanish giants were staring down the barrel.
Rafa Silva silenced the Bernabeu in the 14th minute, slotting home to level the tie on aggregate and put the Portuguese side ahead on away goals . Cue panic stations.
Then, like clockwork, up stepped Aurelien Tchouameni. Two minutes later. Level on the night. Advantage restored. Game on.
Vinicius Junior, who else? put the icing on the cake ten minutes from time, bagging his second of the tie after that stunner in Lisbon last week. And this time? No yellow card for his corner flag celebrations .
HOW THEY DID IT
Madrid had to do this the hard way. A 4-2 hiding by these very opponents in the league phase dumped Alvaro Arbeloa’s men into ninth and forced them through this playoff nightmare .
But when it matters, this lot just know how to get it done. Two wins over Benfica 1-0 in Lisbon, 2-1 in Madrid and suddenly the crisis talk is dead .
THE SPANISH INVASION
Madrid become the THIRD La Liga side into the last 16. Barcelona sailed straight through after finishing fifth. Atletico battered Club Brugge 4-1 on Wednesday to go through 7-4 on aggregate .
CHAOS IN TURIN
While Madrid were doing Madrid things, Galatasaray were busy making history. The Turkish side knocked out Juventus 7-5 on aggregate after a 3-2 win in Turin . Yes, you read that right, seven goals conceded by the Old Lady across two legs .
Elsewhere, Atalanta smashed Dortmund 4-1, PSG edged Monaco 5-4 on aggregate after a 2-2 draw, and Bodo/Glimt pulled off one of the shocks of the round by dumping Inter out 5-2 on aggregate .
THE LAST 16 LINE-UP
Direct qualifiers:
Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, Manchester City
Playoff winners:
Atletico Madrid, Bodo/Glimt, Newcastle, Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid, Atalanta, PSG, Galatasaray
THE DRAW AWAITS
Friday’s draw throws up some absolute blockbusters. Madrid could face anyone. Newcastle are in the hat. Galatasaray are dreaming. And somewhere in Turin, Juventus are wondering what the hell just happened.
For Madrid, it’s job done. For the rest of Europe? The warning signs are flashing.
