Real Madrid successfully exorcised the ghosts of their recent Lisbon nightmare, securing a gritty 1-0 victory over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz. In the opening leg of the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 play-offs, the Spanish giants displayed the composure and clinical edge that was missing during their harrowing 4-2 defeat on this same turf just three weeks ago.
The Match Report: A Night of Drama and Quality
Despite the psychological baggage of their previous visit, Carlo Ancelotti’s men—under the pitch-side guidance of Álvaro Arbeloa—dictated the tempo from the onset. The first half was a tale of missed opportunities for the visitors. In the 19th minute, Vinícius Júnior whistled a strike just wide of the post, while Kylian Mbappé failed to connect with a teasing cross from point-blank range in the 40th minute.
Benfica were not without threat. In the 24th minute, Fredrik’s deflected effort seemed destined for the bottom corner until Thibaut Courtois produced a quintessential fingertip save.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 50th minute. Kylian Mbappé turned provider, threading a ball into the path of Vinícius Júnior, who cut into the box and rifled a finish into the far corner. This strike marked his 31st goal in the competition, a milestone that carries significant weight in Brazilian football history.
Champions League Round-of-16 Play-off Results
| Matchup | Result | Scorer(s) | Key Stat |
| Benfica vs Real Madrid | 0 – 1 | Vinícius Júnior (50′) | Vinícius passes Kaká in UCL goals |
| Monaco vs PSG | 2 – 3 | Vitinha, Barcola (2) | PSG fight back from 2-1 down |
Tempers Flare at the Da Luz
The technical brilliance of the goal was quickly overshadowed by a series of volatile incidents. Following his strike, Vinícius incensed the home crowd with a provocative celebration, resulting in a yellow card. The atmosphere turned toxic as the Brazilian forward appeared to engage in a heated exchange with Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni.
The match was delayed for nearly ten minutes as Vinícius walked toward the dugout, appearing reluctant to continue. Real Madrid’s coaching staff, led by Arbeloa, eventually persuaded him to return to the pitch.
The tension reached a boiling point in the 85th minute. When Vinícius brought down Marco Reus in the Real Madrid box, the referee ignored Benfica’s frantic penalty appeals. An incensed José Mourinho, currently at the helm of Benfica, launched a tirade from the technical area. Having already been cautioned, the “Special One” was shown a second yellow card and dismissed from the touchline, ensuring he will miss the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu next week.
In the other major fixture of the night, reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain narrowly edged Monaco in a five-goal thriller, securing a vital 3-2 away win to put one foot in the quarter-finals.