Benfica and Real Madrid meet again in the Champions League with a place in the knockout stage on the line.
Tonight’s showdown comes weeks after a remarkable clash in Lisbon, which saw goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin score with almost the final kick of a 4-2 win over the Spanish giants to secure a play-off spot on goal difference.
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Their reward is a two-legged rematch with the competition’s most successful-ever side.
Madrid’s interim head coach, Alvaro Arbeloa, has begun to find his feet after a rocky start, and has now overseen four wins from their last five. Such a run is identical to Benfica’s form under Jose Mourinho, who will love nothing more than to get another one over a former team.
Date, kick-off time and venue
Benfica vs Real Madrid is scheduled for an 8pm GMT kick-off today, Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
The match will take place at Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.
Where to watch Benfica vs Real Madrid
TV channel and live stream: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Amazon Prime Video, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT.
Live blog: You can follow all the action on matchday via Standard Sport’s live blog.
Benfica vs Real Madrid team news
Availability for the home side remains mixed. Alexander Bah has rejoined full training after his long recovery from a cruciate ligament rupture, but he is unlikely to be ready in time to play.
Fitness concerns also surround Samuel Soares, who is still managing a muscle issue, and Fredrik Aursnes, who is expected to be unavailable altogether. Joao Veloso remains a selection doubt, while Richard Rios has resumed team activities after his shoulder dislocation but is not expected to be risked.
For Real Madrid, team news is also significant. Kylian Mbappe did not feature in the emphatic win over Real Sociedad, though Arbeloa has stated he is now fit enough to be considered.
Disciplinary issues rule out Raul Asencio, who is suspended after accumulating bookings in the last meeting between the teams, and Rodrygo, who is midway through a UEFA ban following his sending-off.
Injury setbacks further reduce the visitors’ options, with Jude Bellingham sidelined by a hamstring problem and Eder Militao still working his way back from a tendon injury.
Benfica vs Real Madrid prediction
If we are treated to even half the drama of their January showdown, this two-legged tie will be a treat.
However, Madrid will surely approach this first leg with far more caution as they look to navigate a tricky away test before looking to get the job done back in front of their own fans next week.
Mourinho will know a win here will likely be needed to have any hope of claiming a huge scalp over two legs, so his approach will be very intriguing.
Benfica 1-2 Real Madrid
Head to head (h2h) history and results
Benfica wins: 3
Real Madrid wins: 3
Draws: 0
Benfica vs Real Madrid match odds
Benfica to win: 23/10
Real Madrid to win: 10/11
Draw: 11/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
