Real Madrid Defeats Benfica in Lisbon Thanks to Vinícius Júnior's Goal

Tuesday evening in Lisbon brought the long-awaited rematch in the first round of the knockout stage of the Champions League. Real Madrid, led by Álvaro Arbeloa, defeated Benfica 1-0. This crucial victory allowed the Spanish team to erase the bad impression from the January 2-4 defeat at the same stadium. The first half of the match was even, with both teams focusing on defense. Only after the sides switched did Vinícius Júnior capitalize on a precise pass from Kylian Mbappé and, with a technical shot in the 50th minute, beat the home goalkeeper. The match was not without significant non-sporting emotions. Shortly after the Brazilian scored, incidents in the stands led to a brief interruption in play. Media reports indicate further acts of racism directed at Real's star, causing consternation in the visitors' camp. Despite difficult conditions, the defense of Los Blancos, led by Antonio Rüdiger, kept a clean sheet, effectively neutralizing attacks from the team coached by José Mourinho. The Portuguese manager had promised a fight to cause an upset before the match, but this time his tactics proved insufficient against the individual skills of the Madrid players. The rivalry between Real Madrid and Benfica dates back to the 1962 European Cup final, when the Portuguese club, led by Eusébio, broke the dominance of the "Royals," winning 5-3 in Amsterdam. The 1-0 victory places Real in a privileged position ahead of the match at Santiago Bernabéu. It is worth noting the return to top form of Kylian Mbappé, whose participation had been in doubt due to knee problems. The Frenchman ultimately appeared in the starting lineup and was one of the most active players in the spectacle. „"Beating Real Madrid does not require a miracle, but it is a hellishly difficult task, as tonight showed."” — José Mourinho Benfica's defeat ends their home winning streak and forces the Lisbon team to adopt a more offensive approach in the return leg, which could open up space for Madrid's fast counterattacks. Champions League Playoffs - February 17, 2026: Benfica 0:1 Real Madrid; Galatasaray 5:2 Juventus; Monaco 2:3 Paris Saint-Germain 50th minute — moment of the only goal scored by Vinícius Júnior French and Spanish media focus on the genius of Mbappé and Vinícius, emphasizing the injustice of racist attacks. | Portuguese media highlight the solid performance of the hosts and suggest the score does not fully reflect the course of the intense match.