Real Madrid secure vital 1-0 win over Benfica in 2025-26 Champions League knockout phase playoff first leg: Highlights and goal
Real Madrid defeated Benfica in the opening leg of the 2025-26 Champions League knockout phase play-offs to secure an aggregate advantage heading into the return match.
Real Madrid struck first in the 2025-26Champions League knockout phase play-off first leg against Benfica, grinding out a vital 1-0 victory at the Estádio da Luz. The result ensures that Alvaro Arbeloa’s side will head to the Santiago Bernabeu next week holding a crucial lead in the aggregate score.
The first half saw the home side take the initiative, as Benfica pressured their opponents in search of an early opener. However, elite performances from both goalkeepers kept the scoreline level, leaving the match’s defining moments for the second half.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the second period when Vinícius Jr. scored a stunning goal to put the visitors ahead. However, the celebration was short-lived as chaos ensued; Vinícius walked off the pitch alleging that Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni had targeted him with a racial slur. Play was halted for several minutes as officials reviewed the incident. Ultimately, the referee took no disciplinary action, and the match resumed.
In the final stages, Benfica pushed desperately for an equalizer, but Real Madrid’s defense remained resolute to preserve the clean sheet. With this result, the Spanish giants hold the upper hand as the two sides prepare to meet again on Wednesday, February 25, in Madrid.
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Real Madrid beat Benfica 1-0 in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff first leg and you lived every moment of this game with Bolavip!
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End of the game!
Real Madrid defeated Benfica 1-0 at Estadio da Luz!
90'+8- Modification in Real Madrid
Alvaro Carreras was replaced by Dani Carvajal.
90'+4- Substitution in Real Madrid (0-1)
Eduardo Camavinga was replaced by Thiago Pitarch.
90'+2- Yellow card in Benfica (0-1)
Georgiy Sudakov received a yellow card.
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86'- Yellow card in Real Madrid (0-1)
Kylian Mbappe received a yellow card.
80'- Two modifications in Benfica (0-1)
Fredrik Aursnes and Gianluca Prestianni were replaced by Sidny Lopes Cabral and Dodi Lukebakio.
79'- Vinicius nearly scores again! (0-1)
After a great move, Vinicius unleashed a powerful strike from inside the area, but Trubin came up with another spectacular save to deny him.
77'- Yellow card in Benfica (0-1)
Gianluca Prestianni received a yellow card.
73'- Two modifications in Benfica (0-1)
Rafa Silva and Andreas Schjelderup were replaced by Richard Rios and Georgiy Sudakov.
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59'- The game resumes
After being paused for several minutes, the game resumes play.
52'-Play halted (0-1)
Vinicius Jr left the field due to alleged racist insults from Argentinian youngster Gianluca Prestianni.
50'- Yellow card in Real Madrid (0-1)
Vinicius received the first yellow card of the game.
49'- GOOOOAAAAAL OF REAL MADRID!!! (0-1)
Vinicius Jr opens the score for Real Madrid!
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The second half is underway!
Benfica and Real Madrid are already playing the second half!
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Halftime!
The first half at Estadio da Luz has finished!
44'- Mbappe nearly scores! (0-0)
Mbappe had two clear chances to score the first goal of the match, but one went over the crossbar and the other was brilliantly saved by Trubin!
35'- Action slows down in Lisbon (0-0)
Following a flurry of chances for both sides, the game's intensity has dipped as the match enters a stalemate. Both Benfica and Real Madrid appear to have shifted into a more cautious rhythm, with neither team willing to commit a costly error.
23'- Great save by Courtois! (0-0)
Fredrik Aursnes unleashed a powerful long-range strike from outside the box, forcing a desperate save from Thibaut Courtois to keep Benfica off the scoresheet!
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19'- What a miss by Vinicius! (0-0)
Vinícius Jr. had a massive opportunity from inside the box, but his shot went just wide of the post!
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9'- First shot attempt by Real Madrid (0-0)
Kylian Mbappe produced Real Madrid’s first shot on target of the match, but Anatoliy Trubin was well-positioned to make a comfortable save.
5'- Slow start in Lisbon (0-0)
In the opening minutes at the Estadio da Luz, Benfica have taken the initiative, controlling the majority of possession and looking to press into the Real Madrid defensive third.
GAME ON!
The game between Benfica and Real Madrid is underway!
Players are on the pitch!
Players from both teams are on the pitch. Everything is ready for the start of the match!
Both teams doing warm up activities
Players for both sides have taken the field for warmups at Estadio da Luz!
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Benfica look to repeat history
The last meeting between these two teams at the Estadio da Luz holds fond memories for the Benfica faithful. In the final matchday of the Champions League league phase, the Portuguese side defeated Real Madrid 4-2, securing their place in the knockout phase and forcing the Spaniards to compete in it as well.
The most incredible part was that the qualifying goal was scored by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in the final minute of the match, sparking absolute madness throughout the Estadio da Luz.
Benfica confirmed lineup!
This will be Jose Mourinho's starting team: Trubin; Dedic, Araújo, Otamendi, Dahl; Schjelderup, Aursnes, Barreiro, Prestianni; Rafa Silva, Pavlidis.
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Real Madrid lineup confirmed!
Alvaro Arbeloa will field this XI: Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras; Arda Guler, Federico Valverde, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga; Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe.
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Today's referees
Frenchman referee François Letexier has been appointed to officiate the clash between Benfica and Real Madrid. He will be joined on the field by Cyril Mugnier and Mehdi Rahmouni, who are set to serve as the assistant referees.
Full officiating team:
Referee: François Letexier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 1: Cyril Mugnier (FRA)
Assistant Referee 2: Mehdi Rahmouni (FRA)
Fourth official: Jérémie Pignard (FRA)
VAR: Jarred Gillett (ENG)
Kickoff time and where to watch
Benfica vs Real Madrid will get underway at the Estadio da Luz at 3:00 PM (ET).
DirecTV Stream will be the primary option to watch Benfica vs Real Madrid in the USA. The other option to enjoy the game are: Paramount+, UniMás, TUDN and ViX.
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17'- Nice save from Trubin! (0-0)
Arda Guler tried from the distance with a powerful strike from outside the box, but Anatoliy Trubin rose to the occasion once again.
Benfica and Real Madrid clash in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League knockout phase playoff first leg
Welcome to our live blog of the UEFA Champions League, where Benfica face Real Madrid today at Estadio da Luz in the first leg of the Champions League knockout phase playoff!
Stay with us for all the action and minute-by-minute updates of this exciting game!
Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he now covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.
