Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
Prior to the match, there were friendly exchanges between Benfica’s manager Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid’s Alvaro Arbeloa. However, the second half turned into a heated and contentious affair. For Arbeloa, this overshadowed what was otherwise a successful evening for his team.
Benfica sought to unsettle Real Madrid early by attacking swiftly, but after a frantic first ten minutes, Los Blancos found their rhythm. Vinicius Junior had an early chance, shooting wide after a deflected cross. Thibaut Courtois then made a crucial save, diving to his left to deny a powerful shot from Fredrik Aursnes.
As the first half progressed, both teams focused on solidifying their defensive structures, allowing the opposition to possess the ball further from goal. Despite several close attempts, it was Arda Guler who nearly unlocked Benfica’s defense. After a few near-misses, he finally connected with Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose cross just evaded Kylian Mbappe’s outstretched boot—the potential opener slipping away.
Before half-time, Real Madrid intensified their efforts, with Mbappe shooting over after a clever flick from Vinicius and testing Anatoliy Trubin shortly after. In the final moments of the half, Guler forced Trubin to push his effort around the post. As the whistle blew, it was clear Real Madrid had dominated, but Mourinho’s team held strong.
Vinicius’s Brilliance Secures Victory for Real Madrid
The second half began dramatically, as Vinicius scored a stunning goal within five minutes. Cutting in from the left, he launched a shot that curled into the top corner over Trubin. But this was just the beginning.
Following his celebration, Vinicius received a yellow card and engaged in a heated exchange with Gianluca Prestianni. It escalated when Vinicius indicated to the referee that he had been subjected to racial abuse and then took a seat on the bench. After a nearly ten-minute delay, including a red card issued to a Benfica staff member, the match resumed under the anti-racism protocol initiated by referee Francois Letexier.
After the delay, the match struggled to regain its rhythm, and tensions lingered. Vinicius remained the most dangerous player for Real Madrid as Benfica pushed forward. Nonetheless, Real Madrid’s defense stood firm, with Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, and Aurelien Tchouameni showing resilience against the mounting pressure.
Another controversy arose when Vinicius fouled Richard Rios near the edge of the box. Mourinho vehemently protested for a second yellow against Vinicius, but it was the Benfica coach who received a second yellow card instead, thus missing the next match at Santiago Bernabeu. From the resulting free-kick, Benfica nearly tested Courtois, coming as close as they had all night.
As the match approached stoppage time, Benfica ramped up their pressure, but their attempts to find a decisive pass faltered. Real Madrid demonstrated a composure in defense that was refreshing to see, likely the most reassuring aspect for Arbeloa. While the focus may shift to the incidents involving Vinicius and Prestianni, his side’s solid, mature performance could make them strong favorites going into the return leg at the Bernabeu, especially if they maintain their defensive stability.