Hello MARCA readers! Benfica hosts Real Madrid in a thrilling first-leg clash of the Champions League playoffs. After that shock 4-2 win in Lisbon, the stage is set for another intense showdown.
The Portuguese side scraped through the group stage on goal difference, thanks to their stunning victory over Los Blancos in the last league phase game through their goalkeeper’s injury time header, sealing a famous result.
Jose Mourinho’s team has been inconsistent, winning three and losing five of eight games, yet their recent run of four wins in the last five league outings shows they can rise to big occasions.
Their latest 2-1 victory at Santa Clara has boosted confidence heading into this crucial match. Home support at Estadio da Luz could give Benfica an edge, as Madrid sometimes struggles in European away fixtures.
Benfica scored ten goals and conceded twelve in the group stage. Their games rarely end in draws, and every match in the last five Champions League fixtures produced a winner, showing their attacking and defensive extremes.
Madrid arrive confident after four wins in their last five La Liga games, including a 4-1 thrashing of Real Sociedad where Vinicius Júnior bagged a brace, but their European campaign has been uneven so far.
With five wins and three losses in the group stage, the Spanish side’s defense has shown vulnerabilities, particularly on transitions.
The stage is set for another thrilling night of UEFA Champions League action between two of the competition’s most iconic clubs.
Benfica vs Real Madrid – Latest live text updates
Match ends, Benfica 0, Real Madrid 1.
Second Half ends, Benfica 0, Real Madrid 1.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Tomás Araújo.
Substitution, Real Madrid. Dani Carvajal replaces Álvaro Carreras.
Foul by Amar Dedic (Benfica).
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Substitution, Real Madrid. Thiago Pitarch replaces Eduardo Camavinga.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Tomás Araújo.
Heorhii Sudakov (Benfica) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Foul by Heorhii Sudakov (Benfica).
Corner, Benfica. Conceded by Eduardo Camavinga.
Fourth official has announced 12 minutes of added time.
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Foul by Amar Dedic (Benfica).
Handball by Álvaro Carreras (Real Madrid).
Corner, Benfica. Conceded by Álvaro Carreras.
Attempt blocked. Sidny Cabral (Benfica) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card.
Substitution, Real Madrid. Brahim Díaz replaces Arda Güler.
Foul by Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).
Foul by Federico Valverde (Real Madrid).
Attempt missed. Sidny Cabral (Benfica) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right.
Substitution, Benfica. Dodi Lukébakio replaces Gianluca Prestianni.
Substitution, Benfica. Sidny Cabral replaces Fredrik Aursnes.
Attempt saved. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved.
Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica) is shown the yellow card.
Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica) has gone down, but the referee deems it simulation.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match (Real Madrid).
Attempt blocked. Amar Dedic (Benfica) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Assisted by Richard Ríos.
Substitution, Benfica. Heorhii Sudakov replaces Andreas Schjelderup.
Substitution, Benfica. Richard Ríos replaces Rafa.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Anatoliy Trubin.
Attempt saved. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Attempt missed. Rafa (Benfica) right footed shot from the centre of the box.
Foul by Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid).
Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt missed. Arda Güler (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box.
Attempt blocked. Arda Güler (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match (Real Madrid).
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) is shown the yellow card for excessive celebration.
Goal! Benfica 0, Real Madrid 1. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the left side of the box.
Arda Güler (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Offside, Benfica. Rafa is caught offside.
Offside, Benfica. Vangelis Pavlidis is caught offside.
Second Half begins Benfica 0, Real Madrid 0.
First Half ends, Benfica 0, Real Madrid 0.
Attempt blocked. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Nicolás Otamendi.
Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Anatoliy Trubin.
Attempt saved. Arda Güler (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the bottom left corner by Anatoliy Trubin (Benfica). Assisted by Federico Valverde with a headed pass.
Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Tomás Araújo.
Attempt blocked. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box is saved.
Attempt missed. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the centre of the box.
Delay over. They are ready to continue.
Delay in match because of an injury Rafa (Benfica).
Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Attempt missed. Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica) right footed shot from the left side of the box.
Offside, Real Madrid. Vinícius Júnior is caught offside.
Attempt missed. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Álvaro Carreras.
Handball by Dean Huijsen (Real Madrid).
Attempt saved. Fredrik Aursnes (Benfica) right footed shot from outside the box is saved.
Foul by Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid).
Rafa (Benfica) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Attempt missed. Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the centre of the box misses to the left.
Attempt saved. Arda Güler (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top right corner by Anatoliy Trubin (Benfica). Assisted by Federico Valverde.
Attempt saved. Amar Dedic (Benfica) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid).
Attempt saved. Tomás Araújo (Benfica) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid). Assisted by Fredrik Aursnes with a cross.
Corner, Benfica. Conceded by Álvaro Carreras.
Attempt blocked. Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica) left footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Andreas Schjelderup.
Foul by Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid).
Amar Dedic (Benfica) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Attempt saved. Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved.
Rafa (Benfica) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Foul by Aurélien Tchouaméni (Real Madrid).
Attempt missed. Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right following a set piece situation.
Leandro Barreiro (Benfica) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Foul by Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid).
First Half begins.
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Injury news and predicted line-ups for Benfica vs Real Madrid
Benfica could be without several starters. Alexander Bah is back in training but may not feature. Samuel Soares has a muscle issue, Fredrik Aursnes is out, and Joao Veloso is uncertain. Richard Rios probably won’t play.
Real Madrid have some key absences too. Mbappe returns after missing the Sociedad match, but Rodrygo and Raul Asencio are suspended, Jude Bellingham is out with a hamstring issue, and Eder Militao is still recovering.
Benfica Predicted XI: Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Barreiro, Barrenechea; Prestianni, Sudakov, Schjelderup; Pavlidis
Real Madrid Predicted XI: Courtois; Carreras, Huijsen, Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde; Vinicius, Mbappe, Guler
Date and time for Benfica vs Real Madrid
Benfica vs Real Madrid will take place on Tuesday, February 17 from 20:00 local time in Portugal (CET).
That means for fans in the United States wishing to see if Mourinho can beat his former team again, kick-off is from 15:00 ET/12:00 PT.
Fans should expect a fast-paced match with lots of end-to-end action. Benfica will look to exploit Madrid’s defensive lapses, while Los Blancos aim to assert control and strike on counter-attacks with their firepower.
Where to watch Benfica vs Real Madrid in USA
Fans in the United States can watch the action unfold on Paramount+. Commentary will be in English, with expert insights on tactics, player form, and injury updates.
Paramount+ coverage typically includes pre match analysis, play-by-play coverage and match highlights.
The first leg could set the tone for the tie, and whichever side finds the net first may force the other into risky plays. Expect drama, late goals, and tactical chess between the Portuguese hosts and the Spanish giants.