On a night that had fans refreshing Crickex Sign Up between waves of celebration and tension, Real Madrid once again defeated Benfica in the Champions League playoff second leg, completing a double victory and booking their place in the round of sixteen. Despite playing at home, Madrid were the first to concede, as Rafa Silva struck early to silence the Bernabéu. Yet when the pressure mounted, Aurélien Tchouaméni stepped forward with composure beyond his years, firing in a crucial equalizer that marked his first Champions League goal. In the closing stages, Vinícius Júnior drilled a low shot into the corner to seal a 2–1 win on the night.

Having secured a 1–0 victory in the first leg, Real Madrid advanced 3–1 on aggregate, eliminating Benfica with authority. Earlier in the competition they had suffered a 2–4 defeat to the Portuguese side during the league phase, but this playoff triumph delivered sweet revenge and underlined Madrid’s resilience. Even without Kylian Mbappé, sidelined by injury, the Spanish giants proved their depth and collective strength. With a market value soaring to 150 million euros, Vinícius has recently taken center stage, stepping up as the team’s driving force. Across his last five matches, he has scored six goals, igniting a remarkable surge in form that has shifted the narrative of the season.

This marks the first time since 2022 that Vinícius has scored in five consecutive games for Real Madrid. In Champions League knockout history, he has now netted 14 goals, surpassing Neymar to become the highest scoring Brazilian in the competition’s knockout rounds. His influence has extended into domestic play as well. In the 22nd round of La Liga, he scored once to guide Madrid to a narrow 2–1 victory over Rayo Vallecano. Soon after, during a commanding 4–1 win against Real Sociedad, Vinícius converted two penalties, proving decisive once again.

Returning to European action for the first leg against Benfica, he scored the only goal of the match to secure a hard fought 1–0 advantage and lay a solid foundation for progression. Back in league play, he found the net against Osasuna, though Madrid fell 1–2 despite his effort. In the decisive second leg against Benfica, he delivered yet again, reinforcing his status as the man of the moment. Observers tracking his resurgence through Crickex Sign Up have witnessed a dramatic turnaround after a frustrating 16 game goal drought that once fueled widespread criticism.

While Mbappé’s season tally still eclipses Vinícius overall, recent performances tell a different story. Mbappé has struggled with knee discomfort and was unable to feature against Benfica, and even in his previous two appearances he failed to score. Form, fitness, and momentum rarely move in straight lines, and right now the spotlight shines brightly on Vinícius. As Real Madrid look ahead to tougher challenges, the renewed confidence reflected across Crickex Sign Up suggests that their Brazilian star has not only rediscovered his spark but may be ready to carry the team when it matters most.