Real Madrid vs Benfica live online: score, stats, goals & updates | Champions League playoff second leg 2025/26

Galatasaray complete UCL's last-16 lineup

Over in Turin, Galatasaray have completed an aggregate victoryover the Vecchia Signora. 

After Osimhen's goal in the first half of extra time, Yilmaz scored a second for the Turks to make sure of a 7-5 aggregate win.

Galatasaray can face either Liverpool or Tottenham in the next round.

When is the round of 16 draw?

Madrid will find out whether it's City or Sporting in two days' time: the draw for the Champions League round of 16 will take place in Nyon, Switzerland, this Friday.

The draw is scheduled for 12 noon local time; in the U.S., that's a 6:00 a.m. ET/3:00 a.m. PT start.

Find out more about the round of 16 draw.

Yet another City clash for Madrid?

Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois has just told Movistar Plus that he'd rather draw Sporting CP than Manchester City in the last 16, telling Ricardo Sierra that Los Blancos have now seen quite enough of City.

And he's not wrong; Madrid have faced City in six of the last seven Champions League campaigns, including in this term's league phase. The Premier League club won 2-1 at the Bernabéu on matchday six.

For more on Madrid's possible last-16 opponents, check out this piece by my colleague Will Gittins.

Who’s in the UCL round of 16 draw?

So, we now know the identity of 15 of the teams through to the Champions League round of 16. Either Juventus or Galatasaray will complete the lineup.

As things stand, the last-16 teams are:

Seeded teams:

Arsenal (can draw Atalanta/Leverkusen)
Bayern Munich (can draw Atalanta/Leverkusen)
Liverpool (can draw Juventus/Galatasaray/Atlético)
Tottenham (can draw Juventus/Galatasaray/Atlético)
Barcelona (can draw PSG/Newcastle)
Chelsea (can draw PSG/Newcastle)
Sporting CP (can draw Real Madrid/Bodo Glimt)
Manchester City (can draw Real Madrid/Bodo Glimt)

Unseeded teams:

Atalanta (can draw Arsenal/Bayern Munich)
Atlético Madrid (can draw Liverpool/Tottenham)
Bayer Leverkusen (can draw Arsenal/Bayern)
Bodo Glimt (can draw Sporting/Man City)
Newcastle United (can draw Barcelona/Chelsea)
Paris Saint-Germain (can draw Barcelona/Chelsea)
Real Madrid (can draw Manchester City/Sporting CP)

Victorious Vini

Vinícius netted two fine goals in this playoff tie - one in Lisbon, one in Madrid - and is now on his joint-longest scoring sequence for Real Madrid.

Galatasaray back in front in Italy

Update from Turin: in the first half of extra time, Victor Osimhen has pulled one back on the night, and given Galatasaray the lead on aggregate. The Turks are now 6-5 ahead overall.

Follow Juventus vs Galatasaray live.

Arbeloa speaks: gives Asencio injury update

Madrid boss Álvaro Arbeloa has just spoken to Movistar Plus on Spanish TV. Asked about Raúl Asencio, he said: “It seems like a neck injury. It doesn't seem like it’s serious.” He adds that Asencio is being checked over as we speak.

Arbeloa says Madrid “grew into the game” today, telling reporter Ricardo Sierra: “It’s never going to go all your way for 90 minutes."

"He’s playing brilliantly,” Arbeloa said of man-of-the-match Tchouaméni, whose goal was so important to Madrid tonight.

Around the UCL grounds

Here are all four of tonight's Champions League scores at the end of 90 minutes:

Atalanta 4-1 Borussia Dortmund (5-4 agg)
Juventus 3-0 Galatasaray (5-5 agg) - playing extra time
PSG 2-2 Monaco (5-4 agg)
Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 agg)

Holders Paris Saint-Germain have finally overcome the challenge of fellow Ligue 1 club Monaco; their title defense will now continue with a last-16 tie against either Barcelona or Chelsea.

Meanwhile, Juventus have sensationally wiped out Galatasaray's three-goal first-leg lead; that tie is now into extra time in Turin. You can follow live-text coverage of that game here.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Raul Ascencio carted off after violent clash with Camavinga

Let's hope that Asencio injury isn't as serious as it appeared it might be. The defender is currently undergoing tests at hospital.

My colleague Dane Arlauckas has this full report on Asencio's nasty collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga.

UCL stat attack

Here, courtesy of our friends at SofaScore, are the major stats from tonight's game at the Bernabéu:

Titanic Tchouaméni

Tchouaméni, the man whose quickfire response settled Madrid down, has been named UEFA's player of the match.

Peeep peeep peeep! Real Madrid have beaten Benfica home and away, and will be in Friday's last-16 draw.

For 165 seconds after Vangelis Pavlidis‘ first-half opener for the visitors, it looked like this might be a very dicey evening indeed for Madrid. However, Aurélien Tchouaméni's swift leveller calmed Los Blancos’ nerves - and Vinícius's consummate second-half finish settled the tie once and for all.

Madrid win 3-1 on aggregate, and will now face either Manchester City or Sporting CP in the next round.

Rios tries to bring it forward for Benfica, who at this stage know they're very much beaten. Rios loses it.

A minute to go at the Bernabéu.

A reminder that Madrid's last European Cup campaign in which Los Blancos failed to end up at least among the last 16 was 1962/63.

Alexander-Arnold's corner is swung right onto Tchouaméni's bonce... but the Frenchman is put off by his Alaba, who is standing right in front of his teammate. Tchouaméni can only head it into Alaba's back, before Benfica clear.

Madrid bring it forward, Mastantuono feeding Alexander-Arnold on the right.

The right-back's cross is blocked, and flies behind for a corner.

Sidny bends a right-wing free-kick into the Madrid area, where Courtois comes off his line to punch the ball away. The keeper was fouled as he did so.

Madrid are minutes away from a last-16 tie against either Manchester City or Sporting CP. Yet another trip to Lisbon could be on the cards.

Assuming nothing silly happens over the next six minutes, Madrid will find out their last-16 opposition on Friday.

Real Madrid replace Carreras with Fran García. Benfica also make a change, bringing on Sidny for Barreiro.

Nine minutes of time added on in Madrid.

Real relief

Vinícius celebrates his goal, which leaves Madrid on the verge of the last 16.

Benfica get Ivanovic on the ball on the left, where he swings his boot through a couple of stepovers in front of Alexander-Arnold. The Madrid defender waits for the substitute to stepover himself out, before standing in the way to block his attempted cross.

Madrid clear, and are about to reach the last 16 yet again.

Benfica replace Schjedlerup and Aursnes with Ivanovic and Barrenechea.

In the Madrid box, Otamendi flops to the turf with Alexander-Arnold in close attendance. Vincic tells the Argentine that no, he won't be awarding a penalty for that.

A double change for Real Madrid, who bring on Pitarch and Palacios for Gonzalo and Güler.

Benfica almost pull one back right away!

It's sumptuous stuff from Schjelderup, who whisks an outside-of-the-boot ball into the middle, where Silva gets a boot to the cross. Silva's effort flies just past the far post!

Madrid are 10 minutes, plus what will presumably be some lengthy stoppage time, away from the round of 16.

Benfica are yet to make a change...

Around the grounds in the UCL

Latest scores elsewhere in the Champions League:

Juventus 2-0 Galatasaray (4-5 agg)

PSG 2-1 Monaco (5-3 agg)

Mastantuono and Alaba are on, with Camavinga and Asencio replaced.

Asencio has barely moved; that's a worrying sight. His teammates have evident expressions of concern.

Asencio is very slowly, very carefully moved onto a stretcher, and is finally carried off, to applause from around the Bernabéu. David Alaba is preparing to replace him.

Asencio remains down. He surely won't carry on. Madrid medics' concern seems to be with the defender's neck.

Franco Mastantuono is waiting to be introduced, and one imagines Madrid will also send someone on in Asencio's place, too.

A moment before that Camavinga-Asencio clash, by the way, Madrid almost got Valverde charging in on Trubin. Dedic was back quickly to nick the ball away from the Uruguayan, though.

Now Camavinga and Asencio are the Madrid players who collide with one another, as they both go up for a header.

They both need some treatment. Camavinga is the first to get up; Asencio remains prostrate, potentially with a concussion.

In the process of trying to block that Pavlidis shot, Rüdiger collided at pace with Carreras.

The German appears to have hurt his shoulder, but after a brief bit of treatment, he's soon back on.

There's another good chance for Benfica! In the early stages of this half, one got the impression Madrid were about to put the tie to bed; now, the visitors are threatening to level.

Madrid lose it inside their own half, and Benfica play some lovely one-touch stuff to tee up Pavlidis on the edge of the area. He absolutely wellies his shot... but it flashes just past Courtois' left-hand post!

Gonzalo García carries the ball at the Bernabéu, with the Benfica defense in attendance.

Now it's Madrid's turn to keep it for a sustained period. That period ends, though, when Rüdger thuds a hugely overhit pass from left to right. It trundles behind.

There are growing whistles around the Bernabéu as Benfica step back into the Madrid half and keep it for a good minute or two.

Finally, Güler wins it back and hoodwinks Aursnes with a cheeky nutmeg.

Güler then strides forward, and clearly shapes to shoot from just inside his own half, with Trubin apparently off his line. However, Rios bumps him off the ball.

Benfica hit the woodwork! Rafa Silva was inches away from levelling the tie.

After Schjelderup sends a ball into the Madrid box, Vinícius tries to bring it clear. He loses it, and Pavlidis plays it quickly to Silva on the edge of the box.

Silva takes one touch to steady himself, then absolutely pings it towards goal. It bounces back off the bar!

Asencio is booked for a foul on Dahl.

Alexander-Arnold almost doubles Madrid's aggregate lead!

Twisting and turning on the right-hand side of the box, he finally fizzes a low shot across Trubin's goal - and it flies just past the far post. That would have been his first Madrid goal.

“Benfica have dropped off noticeably”, says Julio Maldonado on Movistar Plus.

Madrid only have a one-goal advantage, though...

Feels like a little while since we've seen Schjelderup in a dangerous area, but he picks it up deep in the Madrid half now.

Cutting inside from the left, he heads towards the top of the Madrid area, before slipping a reverse pass into Rafa Silva's path. Alexander-Arnold has to look alive - and look alive he does. The Englishman pokes the ball off Silva's toe.

Alexander-Arnold swings a corner kick into the Benfica area, his delivery arrowing right on to Asencio's head. 

Asencio gets a firm enough forehead behind it, but the ball bounces comfortably over.

Otamendi is booked for bumping Vinícius over as the former sought to scuttle forward towards the Benfica area.

Were Benfica to knock Madrid out, the defender would miss the first leg of the last 16.

Having seen Madrid nearly put daylight between the teams, Benfica's Pavlidis sets off on a run towards Los Blancos' box, in an effort to level the tie back up.

Pavlidis‘ forward foray initially looks dangerous, but a gaggle of white shirts converge on him on the edge of the Madrid area. Pavlidis’ teammates don't give him any real options to pick out, and the attack fizzles out.

Oh, wow. Real Madrid should have another goal. Somehow Valverde misses his kick.

Los Blancos worked it right to Alexander-Arnold, who stroked a bury-me-please ball low across the Benfica box.

Valverde and Gonzalo were both waiting in the danger area, and it was the former who swung his boot at it. The Uruguayan usually has such a clean hit on him, but this time he scuffs his shot off his heel.

Not only does he fail to get a proper shot away, but he turns the ball away from the path of Gonzalo behind him.

Peeeep! We're back underway.

There have indeed been no substitutions at the break.

Second half moments away!

The players are back out at the Bernabéu, where it appears that there are no half-time changes for either side.

Astonishing Atalanta

By the way, our friends at SofaScore point out that Atalanta's win over Dortmund is the biggest comeback in a Champions League knockout tie since THAT Liverpool thumping of Barcelona in 2019

Champions League

Prestianni quickly deletes controversial Real Madrid tweet

In the interests of comprehensiveness, I should note that Gianluca Prestianni, who is banned tonight amid a UEFA probe into allegations of racism, posted a rather incendiary message on X earlier today. He then quickly deleted it.

“You can punch someone off the ball and there's no punishment,” Prestianni said. “You can punish without evidence. They're not even trying to hide it with Real Madrid any more. They’re a disgrace.”

Check out the full story on Prestianni's hastily-erased social-media post.

Benfica's brief bliss

Per Mister Chip, Benfica were ahead on the night for just 165 seconds.

Mister Chip also notes that Tchouaméni has previously scored in the European Cup, but not in the Champions League proper. In 2021, he netted for Monaco in a Champions League qualifier against Sparta Prague.

Around the UCL grounds - playoff second legs

Here are the scores from all four of tonight's Champions League games, one of which is already complete.

Atalanta have overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit to knock out Dortmund, while the most eye-catching score in today's 3:00 p.m. ET kickoffs is in Paris: Monaco have levelled up their tie with PSG, the defending champions.

FT: Atalanta 4-1 Borussia Dortmund (5-4 agg)
HT: Juventus 1-0 Galatasaray (3-5 agg)
HT: PSG 0-1 Monaco (3-3 agg)
HT: Real Madrid 1-1 Benfica (2-1 agg)

Peeep peep peeeeeeep! That's half time at the Bernabéu.

Madrid flirted with disaster for about a minute, before Tchouaméni's instant equalizer calmed the Bernabéu's nerves.

Benfica have still looked dangerous on the odd forward incursion, but Madrid have looked far more settled since they levelled.

Before Alexander-Arnold can deliver, Rios and Asencio have a a little tussle that ends up with the latter on the turf.

Vincic tells them to jolly well stop behaving like schoolboys, before Alexander-Arnold finally sends his free-kick into the box.

It doesn't clear the first man.

One minute of time added on.

Alexander-Arnold stands over a free-kick on the left wing, just 10 yards or so from the byline.

Vinícius is steadily coming to the boil, it seems. He does his signature move - darting in behind the right-back towards the byline - before his pull-back is deflected into the path of Valverde.

Valvderde tries a McManaman-style, outside-of-the-boot volley, but it flies wide.

Again Güler is in the thick of the attacking action, fizzing a low ball into the danger area from the left.

Güler's delivery could, in truth, go anywhere. But, fortunately for Benfica, it pinballs back out. The visitors clear.

That's excellent attacking play by Madrid - and they're not far away from scoring a second.

Carreras pops up on the right wing, of all places. Looking up, he plays a neat little reverse ball into Valverde, who, in turn, lays it off for Güler on the right-hand corner of the Benfica box.

Güler perhaps takes a moment too long to shoot, but he does get his strike away. It takes a deflection off a Benfica boot, but - thankfully for Trubin, who had already dived - it bounces up and wide.

Watching a replay of that Courtois save, I really do feel compelled to doff my cap. The strongest of strong right arms from the keeper.

That is a tremendous save by Courtois.

Cutting in from the left, Schjelderup wiggles his way into the Madrid box, before teeing up Rios for a shot.

Shoot he does - very forcefully so. Rios's effort looks to be arrowing into the net at Courtois' near post, but the Belgian is down in the blink of an eye to beat it out!

Aurélien opens account

That Tchouaméni goal was the Frenchman's first in the Champions League, by the way.

Benfica's Rios is the first player to go into Vincic's notebook, for a rather robust tackle on Tchouaméni.

Real Madrid goal disallowed!

After a not unlengthy VAR check, Slavo Vincic raises his arm up into the air to indicate offside, and the goal is ruled out. It was Gonzalo who was adjudged to be in an illegal position.

Benfica win a corner on the right, which Aursnes will deliver. 

The Norwegian's cross is pinged right into the heart of the area, but Madrid head away.

Half an hour played in the Spanish capital, and this tie remains anyone's to win.

Tchouaméni thunderbolt

Aurélien Tchouaméni celebrates his equalizer for Real Madrid, scored right after Rafa Silva had given Benfica the lead on the night.

Atalanta stun Dortmund to reach last 16

Incidentally, if ever Real Madrid needed a warning that a first-leg lead can end up meaning naff all, they were sent one from Italy earlier this evening.

Atalanta were 2-0 down from the opening leg of their playoff against Borussia Dortmund - but a 4-1 second-leg victory tonight has sent the men from Bergamo into the round of 16.

Now Vinícius carries the ball forward before shooting, from a similar area. Again, it's right at Trubin.

Madrid have certainly been buoyed by their quick equalizer, but Benfica still look dangerous whenever they lauch an attack.

Perhaps encouraged by his midfielder colleague's goal from range, Camavinga takes a pot shot from 25 yards. It's well enough struck, but it's straight at Trubin and the goalkeeper gathers fairly easily.

Blimey, Schjelderup is so dangerous on the left. He runs at a backpedalling Madrid defense, before getting to the byline and crossing low across the home team's six-yard box.

Schjelderup has two men waiting in the middle - but neither can get a boot to his delivery! Fine play from the winger.

The Bernabéu crowd sounds much, much happier now. Spurred on by that quickfire leveller, the hosts pop it about in the Benfica half, in search of an instant second. 

Finally, Alexander-Arnold plays a one-two and advances into crossing space. His ball towards the box doesn't initially look dangerous, but Otamendi's headed pass back to Trubin is almost straight at Gonzalo.

Milestone match in Madrid

Today's game is the 4,000 in the history of the Champions League, according to the Spanish stats guru Mister Chip.

A long, long ball up to Pavlidis suddenly has the Madrid defense at sixes and sevens - rather too easily, for my taste.

Rüdiger's attempted clearance falls right to Pavlidis, who clips a cross into the box. It's too long, though, and Madrid can clear.

Again Madrid enjoy a much-needed early spell of possession, before Güler utterly shanks a pass.

The ball was popped into the Turk just inside the Benfica half, and he sought to ping a raking pass into Vinícius's run down the left wing. Güler's pass was well overhit, but Vinícius gave him the thumbs-up for the intention.

Finally, Real Madrid do get their foot on the ball for a moment.

In the left-hand channel, Vinícius picks it up and charges into the Benfica box, where Otamendi comes across to meet him. Vinícius gets his toe to a shot that flies wide, before tumbling over under Otamendi's challenge.

Vinícius wants a penalty, but Slavko Vincic says: no sir. So, too, does Christian Dingert in the VAR booth.

Schjelderup's corner is delivered right down Courtois' gullet.

But Benfica win it right back, launching another attack. Rafa Silva finds a pocket of space on the edge of the box, from where he pokes a strike on goal - but it's straight at Courtois.

Madrid could do with stringing together at least a little bit of possession at this point.

It's been a promising start by Benfica, who have come out on the front foot. 

As Águias work it left to Schjelderup, who tries a low cross with men waiting in the middle. It's blocked, but Benfica have a corner.

A reminder of the history that weighs against Benfica tonight.

The visitors finally work it to Rios on the edge of the Real Madrid box, where the midfielder takes a swipe at a rather hopeful-looking shot. It's blocked.

It's all Benfica ball in the opening couple of minutes; Benfica ball in non-threatening areas, it must be said.

Peeeeep! Mr Vincic gets us underway at the Bernabéu!

Who is the referee?

Tonight's referee will be Slovenia's Slavko Vincic, while the video assistant referee will be Germany's Christian Dingert.

Teams out at the Bernabéu!

Real Madrid and Benfica are out on the turf in the Spanish capital, where the Champions League anthem is now blaring out.

Moments away from kickoff at the Bernabéu.

Opta's Real favorites

Opta, meanwhile, is heavily backing Real Madrid to make the round of 16.

The statisticians‘ ’supercomputer' gives the 15-time champions an 86.7% chance of progressing, compared to Benfica’s probability of just 13.3%.

Trio of meetings a UCL first

Real Madrid and Benfica's three recent meetings have come in consecutive Champions League games - a first for the competition.

According to the soccer stats specialists Opta, the same two teams have never previously faced off three times in a row in the Champions League.

Real Madrid vs Benfica: all-time head to head

Overall, this is Real Madrid and Benfica's sixth meeting. Until last month, the teams had somehow faced off just three times in Europe - and not since 1965. Benfica currently lead the series 3-2.

Real Madrid vs Benfica - every result:

Feb. 2026: Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid, Champions League R16
Jan. 2026: Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid, Champions League LP
Mar. 1965: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica, European Cup QFs
Feb. 1965: Benfica 5-1 Real Madrid, European Cup QFs
May 1962: Benfica 5-3 Real Madrid, European Cup final

Champions League

Can Mourinho finally break his 24-year Bernabéu curse against Real Madrid tonight?

From his seat in the stands, Mourinho will be trying to orchestrate his first ever win at the Bernabéu as a coach.

With three clubs - Porto, Manchester United and Benfica - his overall, home-and-away record against Real Madrid reads: P7 W1 D1 L5. His only win was Benfica's 4-2 victory over Los Blancos in Lisbon last month, on matchday eight of the league phase.

Why is Mourinho suspended today?

Mourinho, a coach who is returning to the Bernabéu for the first time since ending his three-year stint as Real Madrid boss in 2013, won't be on the touchline because he was sent off during first leg at Da Luz. For, you will be surprised to hear, giving the match officials too much lip.

Incidentally, I should add that Mourinho has quite rightly been panned for some of his postgame remarks amid last Tuesday's racism row. Appearing to shift the blame onto Viníciu Júnior, he told Amazon Prime, among other things: “A stadium where Vinícius plays, something happens, always.”

The anti-racism campaigners Kick it Out responded with a strongly-worded statement, accusing Mourinho of “gaslighting” Vinícius.

Mourinho skips press conference

I have no quotes to give you from José Mourinho's pre-match press conference, because there wasn't one. Mourinho chose not to do his media duties on Tuesday, instead sending out his assistant João Tralhão to speak to the press.

The Benfica boss was allowed to skip his press conference, as he's suspended from the touchline today.

“Each club must hold a pre-match press conference the day before the match," UEFA rules read. "Each press conference must be attended by the head coach of the team and at least one player. If the head coach is suspended for the match, clubs have the option of making the assistant coach available for the pre-match press conference instead.”

Champions League

Arbeloa stokes Barcelona fire: “It’s a scandal the Negreira case still isn’t resolved”

For the full story on Álvaro Arbeloa's pre-match press conference yesterday, let me point you in the direction of this piece by my colleagues Sergio López and Roddy Cons.

What the coaches said: Álvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid

And here are Vinícius Júnior and Gonzalo García stepping into the stadium ahead of kickoff - which is now just half an hour away.

Rousing Real reception

As tends to be the case on these European nights at the Bernabéu, the Real Madrid fans were waiting outside the stadium to give the team a warm welcome as its bus pulled in.

And when is the round of 16 draw?

Held at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland, the round of 16 draw is to take place this Friday, Feb. 27, at 6:00 a.m. ET/3:00 a.m. PT. 

You'll be able to watch the draw live on UEFA.com, UEFA.tv and the Champions League app. You’ll also have the option of following live-text coverage of the event right here, at AS USA.

To find out more about this week's Champions League draw, check out this explainer.

So which teams have already qualified for the round of 16?

Thus far, we know the identity of 12 of the teams in the Champions League's knockout-stage proper.

A reminder that the league phase's top eight finishers all qualified automatically, and will be seeded in the last-16 draw. The qualifiers from the playoffs will be unseeded, and can each be drawn against one of two possible seeds in the next round.

Seeded teams:

Arsenal (can draw Dortmund/Atalanta/Leverkusen)
Bayern Munich (can draw Dortmund/Atalanta/Leverkusen)
Liverpool (can draw Juventus/Galatasaray/Atlético)
Tottenham (can draw Juventus/Galatasaray/Atlético)
Barcelona (can draw PSG/Monaco/Newcastle)
Chelsea (can draw PSG/Monaco/Newcastle)
Sporting CP (can draw Real Madrid/Benfica/Bodo Glimt)
Manchester City (can draw Real Madrid/Benfica/Bodo Glimt)

Unseeded teams:

Atlético Madrid (can draw Liverpool/Tottenham)
Bayer Leverkusen (can draw Arsenal/Bayern)
Bodo Glimt (can draw Sporting/Man City)
Newcastle United (can draw Barcelona/Chelsea)

What happened yesterday in the UCL playoffs?

Last night, the first four playoffs were completed - and the headlines went to Bodo/Glimt, who stunned 2025 runners-up Inter with a 2-1 win at San Siro. Completed a 5-2 aggregate victory over the Nerazzurri, the Norwegians became the first club from the Scandinavian nation ever to progress from a Champions League knockout tie.

Tuesday’s knockout-phase playoff results in full:

Atlético Madrid 4-1 Club Brugge (7-4 agg)
Bayer Leverkusen 0-0 Olympiacos (2-0 agg)
Inter Milan 1-2 Bodo Glimt (2-5 agg)
Newcastle 3-2 Qarabag (9-3 agg)

Who else is in UCL action tonight?

Aside from Real Madrid vs Benfica, there are three further knockout-phase playoff games on today's slate.

In today's early kickoff, Borussia Dortmund went to Bergamo to defend a 2-0 first-leg lead over Atalanta - and the Italians have turned the tie on its head. We're midway through the second half at Gewiss Stadium, and Atalanta lead 3-0 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate. You can follow live-text coverage of that game here.

Then, at 3:00 p.m. ET, the action at the Bernabéu will coincide with the following two games:

Juventus vs Galatasaray (agg: 2-5)
PSG vs Monaco (agg: 3-2)

Benfica lineup confirmed

Benfica's starting XI is now in, by the way. Mourinho's team is: Trubin, Dedic, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl, Rios, Aursnes, Barreiro, Rafa Silva, Schjelderup, Pavlidis.

Just the one change from the team that began last week's first leg, with Richard Rios in for the suspended Prestianni.

At a glance: Benfica's recent form

Benfica's last five games: WLWWD

Feb. 21: Benfica 3-0 AFC, Primeira Liga
Feb. 17: Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid, UCL
Feb. 13: Santa Clara 1-2 Benfica, Primeira Liga
Feb. 8: Benfica 2-1 Alverca, Primeira Liga
Feb. 1: Tondela 0-0 Benfica, Primeira Liga

Can Benfica seal back-to-back last-16 spots?

Benfica, meanwhile, are seeking a place in the Champions League last 16 place for the second straight year - and fourth time in the past five seasons.

On the domestic-league front, Mourinho's men are on a really rather good run of results. They beat AFS 3-0 in the Primeira Liga on Saturday, goals by Alexander Bah, Enzo Barrenechea and Rafa Silva giving As Águias their sixth win in the last seven.  

Benfica actually remain unbeaten in the league this term - but sit third in the table, seven points off leaders Porto.

At a glance: Real Madrid's recent form

Real Madrid's last five games: LWWWW

Feb. 21: Osasuna 2-1 Real Madrid, LaLiga
Feb. 17: Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid, UCL
Feb. 14: Real Madrid 4-1 Real Sociedad, LaLiga
Feb. 8: Valencia 0-2 Real Madrid, LaLiga
Feb. 1: Real Madrid 2-1 Rayo Vallecano, LaLiga

Madrid's LaLiga run brought to a halt

A week ago, Madrid travelled to Lisbon on an eight-game LaLiga winning run that had taken them back to the top of the Spanish league table.

However, that streak came to an end on Saturday, when Álvaro Arbeloa’s men lost 2-1 to Osasuna, in a very flat performance indeed.

Los Blancos now sit one point behind arch rivals Barcelona, who are chasing a second straight domestic crown.

Can Madrid continue astonishing UCL record?

Real Madrid are aiming to reach the Champions League's knockout stage proper for the 29th straight season tonight.

The 15-time continental champs head into the game in the driving seat - but were they to be eliminated, it would be their worst performance in the tournament since the European Cup's Champions League rebrand was still 30 years away. 

It would be Madrid’s earliest exit since they were beaten 4-2 on aggregate by Anderlecht in the preliminary round of the competition’s 1962/63 edition. 

Real ready

Real Madrid fans arrive at the Bernabéu ahead of our 3:00 p.m. ET kickoff.

Kit neatly folded: check

Real Madrid's exceedingly comfy-looking dressing room is all set, you will be relieved to hear.

Champions League

Real Madrid to send a potent message via Bernabéu Champions League mosaic

In the moments before today's game at the Bernabéu, incidentally, fans are set to display a huge mosaic reading: '“No to racism” and “Respect”.

Check out the full story on that initiative.

Real Madrid-Benfica

Latest statement from UEFA on Prestianni case

For more on UEFA's rejection of that Benfica appeal, let me point you in the direction of my colleague Paul Reidy's full report on the news.

Benfica's Prestianni appeal turned down

Still no word on the Benfica XI - which, as I say, will not include the suspended Gianluca Prestianni.

Benfica appealed UEFA's decision to provisionally ban the Argentine amid its ongoing racism probe, but that challenge was rejected. 

In a statement, UEFA said today: "The UEFA Appeals Body has taken today the following decision: The appeal lodged by SL Benfica is dismissed. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body's decision of 23 February 2026 is confirmed.

“Mr. Gianluca Prestianni remains provisionally suspended for the next UEFA club competition match for which he would otherwise be eligible.”

Champions League

Real Madrid make Mbappé decision official ahead of huge Benfica clash

Here, should you be interested to know more about Mbappé's absence, is our full report on the Frenchman's latest injury blow.

Gonzalo and Asencio in for Mbappé-less Madrid

The major team news for Real Madrid is the absence of top scorer Kylian Mbappé, who is again troubled by an increasingly pesky knee niggle.

In all, there are two changes to the team that started last week's first leg in Lisbon. The impressive Gonzalo García comes into the attack in place of Mbappé, while Raúl Asencio returns from suspension to start at the heart of the defense.

One imagines Dean Huijsen would have partnered Antonio Rüdiger, but the Spanish international is sidelined with a muscle injury that also kept him out of the weekend defeat at Osasuna.

Real Madrid lineup confirmed

As is their wont on the big nights, Real Madrid have gone early with their team news.

This is Álvaro Arbeloa's starting XI: Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Rüdiger, Carreras, Valverde, Güler, Tchouaméni, Camavinga, Gonzalo, Vinícius Júnior.

Prestianni banned for today's second leg

The day after last Tuesday's first leg, UEFA - European soccer's governing body - confirmed that it had launched an investigation into Vinícius’s allegations against Prestianni.

In the meantime, Prestianni has been provisionally suspended for a game - so he won’t be on the field today.

The Argentine, by the way, reportedlyalleges he didn’t use a racist slur, but rather a homophobic one. Well that’s alright then, mate. It's important to note that UEFA rules carry heavy bans for both racism and homophobia.

Prestianni accused of racist abuse

For those of you that need reminding of the sorry episode: In the aftermath of his goal, Vinícius and Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni became embroiled in a confrontation, which resulted in the Brazilian accusing the Argentine of racism: specifically, he alleged Prestianni called him a monkey.

Vinícius's teammate Kylian Mbappé has backed up his colleague, saying he heard Prestianni use the alleged racist slur “five times”.

The match in Portugal was halted for around 10 minutes, with initial suggestions that Madrid’s players might walk off. Finally, it got underway again, but the remaining action felt entirely secondary. 

Real lead after controversial first leg

Real Madrid head into today’s return leg with a 1-0 lead from last week’s opener in Lisbon, thanks to a wonderful, wonderful, goal by Vinícius Júnior early in the second half at the Estádio da Luz.

However, unless you have been camping out in an isolation chamber for the past eight days, you’ll probably be aware of the main - and very depressing - story from the first leg.

Real Madrid vs Benfica: welcome!

Hello there! Four tickets to the Champions League round of 16 remain up for grabs - and one of them will be won at the Estadio Bernabéu tonight.

In the teams' third meeting in the space of just under a month, Real Madrid host Benfica in the second leg of the knockout-phase playoffs, with a last-16 tie against Manchester City or Sporting CP awaiting the winner.

Kickoff in the Spanish capital is about an hour and a half away; we’ll bring you team news as soon as it’s in.