Football occasionally scripts its own drama, and few fixtures illustrate that better than the renewed meeting between Real Madrid and Benfica. Barely have the echoes faded from their breathless league-phase encounter when the two European heavyweights are drawn together again—this time in the play-off for a place in the last sixteen of the UEFA Champions League.
On the final matchday of the league phase, qualification scenarios were delicately poised. At Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz, Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4–2 in a contest rich in tension and late drama. That result proved decisive: conceding one goal too many denied the Spanish giants automatic passage to the round of sixteen, forcing them instead into the play-offs. Benfica, by contrast, secured their progression in stirring fashion.
A brief recap of that extraordinary night underlines why this rematch carries such weight. Real struck first after 30 minutes through Kylian Mbappé. Six minutes later Benfica restored parity, and deep into first-half stoppage time they edged ahead from the penalty spot. Early in the second half the Portuguese side extended their lead to 3–1, placing Madrid under severe pressure. Mbappé responded with his second goal on 58 minutes to reduce the deficit to 3–2, setting up a frenetic finale.
As stoppage time ticked away, the permutations were stark: a 3–2 scoreline would have sent Real directly into the last sixteen and eliminated Benfica. Instead, destiny intervened. In the final minute, Benfica won a free-kick. Goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin ventured forward and, meeting the delivery with a powerful header, sealed a 4–2 victory—one of the most dramatic goals of the campaign.
Previous European Meetings
Historically, Benfica have held the upper hand in European competition. The record between the two clubs is summarised below:
| Season/Year | Competition | Venue | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | European Cup Final | Amsterdam | Benfica 5–3 Real Madrid |
| 1964–65 | European Cup QF (1st leg) | Lisbon | Benfica 5–1 Real Madrid |
| 1964–65 | European Cup QF (2nd leg) | Madrid | Real Madrid 2–1 Benfica |
| Recent League Phase | Champions League | Lisbon | Benfica 4–2 Real Madrid |
Across four European meetings, Benfica have claimed three victories to Real’s one. Yet pedigree counts heavily in knockout football, and Madrid’s storied history in this competition ensures they remain formidable opponents.
Benfica’s camp, despite the favourable record, has struck a cautious tone. Their manager has warned that “an injured king is always dangerous,” acknowledging Real’s resilience and experience on Europe’s grandest stage. Confidence, however, remains high in Lisbon that disciplined planning and belief can once again unsettle the Spanish side.
On the same evening, another compelling tie unfolds as Paris Saint-Germain meet AS Monaco in their first European clash. Domestically, PSG hold the advantage with 23 wins to Monaco’s 13 from 50 matches (14 draws), but continental competition introduces a different dynamic.
As midnight approaches, anticipation builds. For Real Madrid and Benfica, this is more than a fixture—it is a narrative renewed, history revisited, and a fresh chapter awaiting its author.