Benfica will face Real Madrid on Tuesday in an exciting first leg of their UEFA Champions League playoff round, with Jose Mourinho’s side entering the match as the clear underdogs.
MORE — UEFA Champions League playoff schedule
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For real-time updates and highlights from the Benfica vs. Real Madrid clash, be sure to check out PST’s live blog coverage below.
Benfica vs. Real Madrid live updates – by Andy Edwards
Final Score: Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
Goalscorer: Vinicius Junior (50′)
Match Resumed After Discussions Between Officials and Players (60′)
Both Vinicius and Prestianni remain on the field.
Match Stopped Following Racial Abuse Claims Against Vinicius Junior (52′)
After scoring the opening goal, Vinicius celebrated at the corner flag, prompting some Benfica players to react to his dance. Shortly thereafter, the Brazilian reported to French referee Francois Letexier, alleging that a racist comment was made by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni. The match has yet to resume over ten minutes following the goal.
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GOAL! Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid: Vinicius Scores a Stunning Goal (50′)
Benfica Starting XI
Trubin – Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl – Aursnes, Barreiro, Silva – Prestianni, Schjelderup, Pavlidis
Real Madrid Starting XI
Courtois – Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras – Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde, Guler – Mbappe, Vinicius
How to Watch Benfica vs. Real Madrid Live
Kickoff Time: 3 PM ET, Tuesday (February 17)
Venue: Estadio da Luz — Lisbon, Portugal
TV/Streaming: Paramount+
Benfica recently triumphed over Real Madrid 4-2 in a dramatic league finale, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin netting the last-minute goal that secured their place in the playoff round. They now have the chance to face Real Madrid again, and twice at that. Mourinho embraces the underdog role, and after a rocky start to the Champions League this season, Benfica views advancing to the knockout rounds as a significant achievement.
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Real Madrid will be cautious of a potential upset but will aim to establish a solid lead to bring back to the Santiago Bernabeu and finish the job with minimal hassle to progress to the last 16. Alvaro Arbeloa has successfully replaced Xabi Alonso, while Real sits atop La Liga, two points clear but having played one extra match than Barcelona. Excluding the loss to Benfica, they have won six of their last seven matches, netting 20 goals in that span, largely thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s prolific form.
Benfica Team News
Since arriving at his boyhood club in September, Mourinho has transformed Benfica. Currently, they are seven points behind leaders Porto but remain unbeaten in the league this season. In the Champions League, they triumphed in three of their last four matches to reach the playoff round, defeating Ajax, Napoli, and Real Madrid in an impressive streak. The focus now lies in maintaining a solid defense against Real, a strategy in which Mourinho excels, while hoping that center forward Vangelis Pavlidis, playmaker Heorhiy Sudakov, and winger Andreas Schjelderup can capitalize on counter-attacks.
Real Madrid Team News
Arbeloa’s squad comfortably defeated Real Sociedad 4-1 at home over the weekend, giving some key players a rest. Jude Bellingham, Eder Militao, and Rodrygo are sidelined due to injuries, although Kylian Mbappe is available after being rested recently. Injuries had previously limited defensive options, but the return of Rudiger, Alexander-Arnold, and Huijsen has contributed significantly to improving Real’s form. Raul Asencio is suspended.
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Prediction for Benfica vs. Real Madrid
This matchup feels like a classic Mourinho scenario, and Benfica will enter with confidence after their recent victory over Real. Expect a closely contested draw. Benfica 2-2 Real Madrid.