Brahim Diaz, Vinicius Júnior and Rodrigo Goes were all on target in goal for the Spanish giants, who qualified from Group C even without rested top scorer Jude Bellingham.
Brazilian wingers Vinicius and Rodrigo have been criticized for their lack of goals this season, and both responded with classy strikes to help their team go through after DThe midfielder showed well in a rare start and was involved in most of Madrid’s attacks.
Bellingham, who has scored 13 times in 14 games since his summer switch, watched from the bench as Ancelotti allowed him to recover from a shoulder problem suffered against Rayo.
Diaz should have scored another goal, but Benfica goalkeeper Matheus made a superb double save early in the second half.
I’m doing my job and showing that I can perform and help the coach, Diaz told reporters.
There are some very good players here, but I’m stillhe dynamic duo both repaid him with goals that thrilled the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
(Embrace) is a thank you to him, Rodrigo explained. We have to appreciate people when we don’t have the best moment, then you see who they really are.
I had a bad moment, the coach was always alert.
