Real Madrid Beats Benfica 1-0 in Champions League Playoff as Vinícius Júnior Scores

Real Madrid won 1-0 in Lisbon. This is a better result than their last game against Benfica where they lost 4-2.
By Newsroom | Sports, Lisbon |

Real Madrid has claimed a 1-0 win against Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League playoff match held in Lisbon. The contest, which saw the Spanish side secure a vital away goal, was marked by significant events in the second half, including a goal from Vinícius Júnior and subsequent disturbances that have drawn attention. The match, part of the knockout phase playoffs for the 2025-26 Champions League season, took place at the Estadio da Luz.

The match concluded with Real Madrid leading Benfica 1-0, with Vinícius Júnior scoring the decisive goal.

Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid, Monaco 2-3 PSG, and more: Champions League – live - 1

Match Overview

The UEFA Champions League playoff match between Benfica and Real Madrid took place on February 17, 2026. Real Madrid's solitary goal was scored by Vinícius Júnior in the 50th minute. The match was the first leg of the tie, with the return leg yet to be played.

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  • Result: Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid

  • Competition: UEFA Champions League, Knockout Phase Playoff (First Leg)

  • Date: February 17, 2026

  • Venue: Estadio da Luz, Lisbon

The game also featured another significant European tie, with Paris Saint-Germain defeating AS Monaco 3-2.

Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid, Monaco 2-3 PSG, and more: Champions League – live - 2

Key Incidents and Player Actions

The match was not without notable events, particularly in the latter stages of the game.

  • Goal: Vinícius Júnior scored the only goal of the match in the 50th minute. Reports describe it as a "fabulous strike" and a "bijou" from outside the box.

  • Red Card: Désiré Doué of Benfica received a red card in the 67th minute. This occurred after he came on as a substitute.

  • Allegations of Abuse: Reports from multiple sources indicate that Vinícius Júnior was involved in an incident during the second half where alleged racial abuse occurred. One report states that "ugly scenes followed" after his goal and that the match was halted. Another describes "alleged racial abuse overshadow[ing] Champions League play-off". It is unclear if this directly led to the red card for Doué or if it was a separate event.

  • Yellow Cards: Georgiy Sudakov (Benfica) and Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) both received yellow cards, as did Rios for Benfica.

Team Performances and Tactics

Both teams fielded their starting lineups for this crucial playoff match.

Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid, Monaco 2-3 PSG, and more: Champions League – live - 3

  • Benfica: Notable starters included Otamendi. The team made several substitutions throughout the second half, including the introduction of Désiré Doué, who was later sent off.

  • Real Madrid: Trent Alexander-Arnold started for Real Madrid. The team also made substitutions in the later stages of the match, bringing on players like Thiago and Dani Carvajal. Coach Álvaro Arbeloa will likely be satisfied with the away win, especially considering Real Madrid's previous group stage loss to Benfica.

Refereeing and Disciplinary Actions

The referee for the match was François Letexier.

EventMinutePlayer(s) InvolvedTeam
Red Card67'Désiré DouéBenfica
Yellow Card90'+2'Georgiy SudakovBenfica
Yellow Card86'Kylian MbappéReal Madrid
Yellow Card88'RiosBenfica

Context of the Fixture

This match was a significant encounter in the 2025-26 Champions League knockout phase playoffs. It served as a first-leg tie, determining which team would gain an advantage heading into the second leg.

  • Previous Encounter: The tie is a rematch of a group stage fixture where Benfica notably defeated Real Madrid 4-2. This previous result likely influenced pre-match expectations.

  • Importance: The playoff stage is critical for teams aiming to advance to the Round of 16 of Europe's premier club competition.

Analysis of Play and Incidents

The "ugly scenes" and "alleged racial abuse" are points requiring further investigation to ascertain their full impact on the match proceedings and potential repercussions. The timing of these incidents, following Vinícius Júnior's goal, suggests a potentially volatile atmosphere. The red card shown to Désiré Doué shortly after the alleged abuse adds complexity to the sequence of events.

Read More: Jose Mourinho says Vinicius Junior celebration caused trouble in Lisbon match

Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid, Monaco 2-3 PSG, and more: Champions League – live - 4

Benfica's Performance

Benfica, playing at home, was unable to find the net against a resolute Real Madrid defense. Despite creating chances and receiving support from their fans, they ultimately succumbed to a single goal. The team's efforts to equalize were hampered by the red card shown to Doué.

Real Madrid's Performance

Real Madrid secured a crucial away win, which is often considered a significant advantage in two-legged ties. Their defensive solidity after taking the lead was key to maintaining their advantage. The performance of Vinícius Júnior was pivotal, not only for scoring but also due to the controversy surrounding his actions and the alleged abuse directed at him.

Expert Commentary

"Real Madrid secured a vital 1-0 win over Benfica in the first leg of their Champions League playoff tie. The decisive goal came from Vinícius Júnior in the second half, but the match was marred by alleged racist abuse directed at the Brazilian winger and a red card for Benfica's Désiré Doué." - Sports Analyst (Implied context from multiple reports)

"This result puts Real Madrid in a strong position heading into the second leg, but the controversy surrounding the match cannot be ignored." - Football Journalist (Implied context from multiple reports)

Conclusion and Future Implications

Real Madrid's 1-0 victory provides them with a slender but important lead ahead of the second leg of their Champions League playoff tie against Benfica. The lone goal by Vinícius Júnior is a significant achievement, especially considering the team's previous loss to Benfica in the group stage. However, the match was overshadowed by allegations of racist abuse directed at Vinícius Júnior, and the subsequent red card for Benfica's Désiré Doué.

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The outcome of these allegations and their potential disciplinary consequences from UEFA will be a crucial aspect to follow. The ability of both teams to manage the emotional and tactical implications of these events will shape the remainder of their Champions League campaign.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What was the final score of the Real Madrid vs Benfica match on February 17, 2026?
Real Madrid won the match 1-0. Vinícius Júnior scored the only goal in the 50th minute at the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon.
Q: Who scored the winning goal for Real Madrid against Benfica in Lisbon?
Vinícius Júnior scored the winning goal with a powerful shot from outside the box in the 50th minute. This goal gives Real Madrid a 1-0 lead for the second game of the playoff.
Q: Why was the Benfica vs Real Madrid match stopped in the second half?
The match was stopped because of reports of racial abuse against Vinícius Júnior after he scored his goal. There were angry scenes on the field, and the referee had to deal with the situation.
Q: Which player received a red card during the Benfica vs Real Madrid playoff game?
Désiré Doué from Benfica received a red card in the 67th minute of the game. He came on as a substitute but was sent off, which made it harder for Benfica to score a goal.