Benfica vs Real Madrid LIVE
Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr scored a superb second-half goal to secure a 1-0 victory at Benfica in their Champions League playoff first leg on Tuesday in a match overshadowed by an alleged racist incident that led to an 11-minute stoppage. After a tight first half, Real broke through five minutes after halftime. Kylian Mbappe led a counter-attack and fed Vinicius, who cut inside and curled a fine shot into the far corner.
As Vinicius celebrated, a heated exchange with Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni prompted referee Francois Letexier to activate FIFA's anti-racism protocol. Real's players briefly threatened to leave the pitch before play resumed.
Benfica pressed late on but managed only three shots on target in the match. Their manager Jose Mourinho was sent off in the 85th minute after two bookings as Real claimed a narrow advantage for next Wednesday's return leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Benfica vs Real Madrid latest updates
- RED CARD! Mourinho sent off
- GOAL! Vinicius opens scoring
- GOOD SAVE! Trubin denies Guler
- CLOSE! Mbappe can't convert Trent cross
- GOOD SAVE! Courtois saves from Aursnes
Vinicius Junior releases statement amid alleged racist abuse
23:17 , Oli GentVinicius Junior has released a statement following alleged racist abuse towards him during Real Madrid’s Champions League tie with Benfica.
The winger accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of directing a racist slur towards him in the wake of Vinicius’ 50th-minute goal which had given Real the lead at the Estadio da Luz.
That strike proved to be the winner on a dramatic night in Lisbon, which was marred by the 10-minute delay in proceedings as chaos ensued.
Vinicius was booked for antagonising the home fans with his celebration, dancing and pumping his fist towards the Benfica faithful, earning himself a yellow card while the Portuguese supporters threw missiles at him.
'I can relate' - Henry reacts to alleged Vinicus abuse
23:07 , Oli GentThierry Henry has said that he “relates” to how Vinicius Junior is feeling after the Real Madrid star was allegedly racially abused during his side’s 1-0 win over Benfica.
In a fiery European play-off in Lisbon on Tuesday, the Brazilian scored the only goal at a partisan Estadio da Luz.
In the aftermath of his goal, however, the forward alleged to referee Francois Letexier that he had been racially abused, pointing at Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, who appeared to have uttered something to the Real man with his shirt covering his mouth.
It incensed Vinicius, who was booked for excessive celebration before that, and he stormed to the away bench as his team-mates took over his protests.
Fan reaction
22:47 , Oli GentThe racial abuse Vinícius Júnior receives is simply unacceptable and happens way too often…
— Evan Cooper (@Lacazest) February 17, 2026
Pathetic.
Fan reaction
22:46 , Oli GentMark Clattenburg, get a clue. Saying Vinicius Junior has 'made it difficult'. He can celebrate scoring in front of the crowd, there is NOTHING wrong with that. In no way does it justify or legitimise alleged racist abuse from Gianluca Prestianni.
— Adam (@AdamJoseph) February 17, 2026
This shouldn't have to be said.
Alexander-Arnold told how he can become 'world's best full-back'
22:45 , Oli GentWayne Rooney has identified the key attribute that Trent Alexander-Arnold needs to improve to become the “best full-back in the world”.
The former Liverpool right-back joined Real Madrid last summer, and has struggled in his first term in Spain with persistent injury problems.
He moved ahead of the Club World Cup, with Madrid paying a fee to Liverpool worth £8.4million so that he could play for Los Blancos in the United States.
The 27-year-old returned to action this month after a two-month lay-off with a thigh injury that he sustained in Real’s win over Athletic Club.
Alexander-Arnold slams alleged abuse
22:44 , Oli GentTrent Alexander-Arnold slammed alleged racist abuse towards Vinicius Junior as “a disgrace for football” as the incident marred Real Madrid’s win over Benfica in the Champions League.
Vinicius had scored what proved to be the winner in a chaotic clash at the Estadio da Luz, and the fall-out from his strike and celebration was the big talking point from the match.
The forward had whipped up the home support, taunting them with a dance and a fist pump following his 50th-minute curler, and the Benfica fans responded by throwing missiles at the Brazilian.
It led to a melee on the pitch, which eventually resulted in Vinicius running over to referee Francois Letexier, accusing Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni of racist abuse.
FT: Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
22:02 , Oli GentThere we have it. That was quite the rollercoaster.
What will the fall-out have in store?
Thanks for joining us on Standard Sport, be sure come to back very soon for even more LIVE Champions League action,
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:58 , Oli Gent90+9 mins: Another change for Madrid, as Carvajal replaces Carreras.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:55 , Oli Gent90+6 mins: Another stoppage with the referee having to deal with more unrest. This time, the crowd is throwing stuff onto the pitch.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:51 , Oli Gent90+3 mins: Free kick, Real Madrid. Sudakov is in the book after chopping down Vinicius cynically. He would have been in had he got away...
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:49 , Oli Gent90 mins: 12 added minutes.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:47 , Oli Gent88 mins: Close! Cabral goes for it left-footed, and the deflection loops it behind. Corner, Benfica.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:46 , Oli Gent87 mins: Diaz is on for Guler, and is immediately thrown in as the draft excluder. Mbappe is also booked for dissent.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:44 , Oli Gent85 mins: Mourinho is booked for his reaction to that foul by Camavinga... and he’s now been sent off!
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:44 , Oli Gent84 mins: Rios lines up to shoot on the edge of the area, and is clattered. Free kick, Benfica. A real chance for the hosts.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:39 , Oli Gent80 mins: Aursnes is replaced by Sidny Cabral. Lukebakio is also on for Prestianni.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:37 , Oli Gent79 mins: Prestianni is booked for a dive as he looks to speed past Camavinga and goes down in the box.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:37 , Oli Gent78 mins: With Rios and Sudakov on the pitch, the hosts’ press is far more urgent now. They’re practically itching to get after Courtois as he puts his foot on the ball.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:33 , Oli Gent75 mins: Two changes for the hosts. Rafa is off for Richard Rios, and Sudakov replaces Schjeldrup.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:32 , Oli Gent73 mins: This could be a really good opportunity for Real to shut the crowd up and score a second here. It would give them a huge cushion going back home for the second leg...
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:28 , Oli Gent69 mins: The crowd are fired up as well. Can Benfica harness that into finding an equaliser?
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:24 , Oli Gent65 mins: Some heavy challenges flying in from both sides now. We’ve got a fight on our hands.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:22 , Oli Gent63 mins: The boos ring around the Estadio da Luz every time Vinicius touches the ball.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:19 , Oli Gent60 mins: We’re finally back underway. After a 10 minute delay.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:18 , Oli Gent59 mins: We are just about in a position to get going again... but now Mbappe has sparked up again!
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:17 , Oli Gent58 mins: The inquest continues at the Estadio da Luz. Still play has not resumed.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:15 , Oli Gent56 mins: Vinicius has slumped on the Real bench. We still aren’t underway yet. Arbeola is talking to the referee.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:12 , Oli Gent53 mins: Might something racist have been said? Vinicius is absolutely outraged. A Real Madrid coach is shown a red card in the scuffle.
Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:12 , Oli Gent52 mins: Vinicius is incensed after his goal, having jigged and then looked to antagonise the home support, who begin throwing objects at him. He’s booked by the referee, to his shock. There are more arguments here, with the players all furious.
Goal! Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid
21:09 , Oli Gent50 mins: That’s the opener, and it’s Vinicius Junior. He curls in a beauty after all the missed chances in the first half. He puts it into the top corner with aplomb. 1-0.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
21:06 , Oli Gent47 mins: Penalty shout! The hosts maraud forward as Rafa sends Pavlidis away. Rudiger slides in, but takes the ball, says the referee. The flag is raised against the Benfica striker anyway.
Kick off!
21:04 , Oli Gent46 mins: Back underway.
HT: Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:49 , Oli GentThere’s the interval. Real firmly on top going in at the break, which has come at a good time for Benfica to regroup.
What will the second half have in store?
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:46 , Oli Gent45+2 mins: Another good stop! This time Trubin saves from Guler, whose curler is tipped around the post by the Benfica keeper.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:46 , Oli Gent45+2 mins: Another good stop! This time Trubin saves from Guler, whose curler is tipped around the post by the Benfica keeper.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:46 , Oli Gent45+1 min: Three added minutes.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:45 , Oli Gent45 mins: Good save! Another opportunity for Real’s No10 as he takes aim once more, but Trubin gets down to deny him!
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:44 , Oli Gent44 mins: Close! Mbape’s second sighting of goal, as he links up neatly with Vinicius. The Brazilian flicks it nicely into the Frenchman’s path, but his effort is wayward.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:43 , Oli Gent43 mins: Benfica have gone a bit quiet up front in the last few minutes. They have lost their momentum that they opened with. Can they refind it?
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:39 , Oli Gent39 mins: Close! That’s a super cross from Alexander-Arnold, and Mbappe slides in... but he can’t make contact!
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:39 , Oli Gent38 mins: Rafa is down after a collision with Carreras. He looks a bit shaken.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:35 , Oli Gent35 mins: Real are really getting into their groove now with Guler drifting from his midfield berth. They’re knocking on the door...
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:31 , Oli Gent31 mins: Half an hour played and still nothing to separate these two. Who can find that elusive opener?
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:27 , Oli Gent27 mins: Benfica are caught playing out with Araujo playing a loose pass, and Real seize upon it. It’s looped into the left channel for Vinicius, but he’s offside.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:24 , Oli Gent24 mins: Good save! Aursnes has had a really solid start to this game and he takes a punt from range. It takes a deflection, and Courtois gets down really well to keep it out.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:20 , Oli Gent20 mins: Close! First big chance of the tie as Alexander-Arnold does well, finding Valverde ahead of him. His cut-back is deflected into Vinicius’ path, but he screws it wide!
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:16 , Oli Gent17 mins: Aursnes’ cross is met by Araujo, who has a free header, but Courtois holds.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:15 , Oli Gent16 mins: Corner, Benfica. That’s nice from Prestianni, positively bursting clear of Camavinga before winning the corner as he tries to cross.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:13 , Oli Gent13 mins: Good defending by Dedic, forcing Vinicius down the line, and the Brazilian fouls him in response.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:10 , Oli Gent10 mins: A good save from Trubin as Mbappe works a yard of space just inside the box, and looks for the snapshot. Trubin is behind it, spilling at the first time of asking, before collecting second time around.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:10 , Oli Gent9 mins: A positive start from the hosts, moving the ball about with verve and intent. It’s now Real’s time to get on the ball...
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:06 , Oli Gent6 mins: A big jeer as Valverde misplaces a simple pass out to Mbappe on the right.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:04 , Oli Gent5 mins: That’s a great run from Aursnes down the right, with a give and go resulting in a crossing opportunity that is hacked clear by Rudiger.
Benfica 0-0 Real Madrid
20:03 , Oli Gent3 mins: A frantic start with some end to end action, that includes fouls from Tchouameni and Camavinga, who get their presence felt early.
Kick off!
20:00 , Oli Gent1 min: We are underway.
Five minute warning
19:55 , Oli GentThe players are out, and it’s time for the anthem.
Ten minutes to kick off
19:51 , Oli GentWho will win this one?
Big talk from Rooney on Trent
19:44 , Oli Gent"If he improves that he will be the best full-back in the World!" 🌍@WayneRooney backs Trent Alexander-Arnold to reach new heights at Real Madrid ⚪️🤩 pic.twitter.com/5V8BYuXgoj
— Prime Video Sport UK (@primevideosport) February 17, 2026
Words from Jose...
19:34 , Oli GentJosé Mourinho wants “close to perfection” from his Benfica side as they prepare to host Real Madrid once again 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/kimDiy92jX
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) February 17, 2026
Watch: Last time out...
19:25 , Oli GentTHAT IS UNBELIEVABLE 🔥
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) January 28, 2026
Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scores a 98th minute goal to keep Jose Mourinho's Benfica in the competition 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplus pic.twitter.com/Vqtndh565T
Benfica's record
19:20 , Oli GentAccording to Transfermarkt, tonight’s hosts have brought in the greatest transfer profit since 2000.
They have received €871million from player sales, beating Porto (€732m) and Ajax (€677m) who complete the top three.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, there are no English clubs in the top 10...
War of words!
19:14 , Oli Gent"He doesn't impress people, but he is the kind of player that impresses coaches." 💪
— Prime Video Sport UK (@primevideosport) February 17, 2026
Mourinho & his former defender Arbeloa go head-to-head tonight on Prime ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/oVgrIpihKx
Benfica lineup
19:04 , Oli GentBenfica XI: Trubin; Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl; Martins, Aursnes; Prestianni, Silva, Schjeldrup; Pavlidis
Subs: Barrenchea, Cabral, Bah, Ivanovic, Sidny, Lukebakio, Silva, Rios, Silva, Sudakov, Bruma, Ferreira
Some stat
18:55 , Oli GentBenfica and Real Madrid have amazingly only met FOUR times in Europe, despite making the most appearances in European Cup/UCL history 🤯
— Prime Video Sport UK (@primevideosport) February 16, 2026
We've got them live on Prime tomorrow night 🍿 pic.twitter.com/OOwCw5tEDT
Real Madrid lineup
18:49 , Oli GentReal Madrid XI: Courtois; Alexander-Arnold, Rudiger, Huijsen, Carreras, Tchouameni, Camavinga, Valverde; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius
Subs: Lunin, Carvajal, Alaba, Gonazalo, Ceballos, Garcia, Diaz, Mendy, Mastantuono, Cestero, Martinez. Thiago
Previously...
18:37 , Oli GentIt’s safe to say the last game between these two was... spicy.
Match odds
18:30 , Oli GentBenfica to win: 23/10
Real Madrid to win: 10/11
Draw: 11/5
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
Head to head
18:20 , Oli GentBenfica wins: 3
Real Madrid wins: 3
Draws: 0
Standard Sport prediction
18:10 , Oli GentIf 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.
Real Madrid to win, 2-1
Real Madrid team news
18:00 , Oli GentFor 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 team news
17:50 , Oli GentAvailability 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.
How to watch
17:40 , Oli GentTV channel and live stream: In the UK, the game will be televised live on Amazon Prime Video, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT.
Hello and welcome!
17:30 , Oli Gent... to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Real Madrid’s trip to Benfica in the Champions League.
The first leg of the knockout play-off for a place in the last 16.
Stay tuned for all the updates, with kick off at 8pm GMT.
