| Real Madrid vs Benfica | |
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MATCH INFO |
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MATCH :
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Real Madrid vs Benfica
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COMPETITION :
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UEFA Champions League
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| DATE: |
29 - 01 - 2026
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TIME:
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01.30 AM IST
12.00 AM UAE
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STADIUM
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Estádio da Luz |
Benfica vs Real Madrid: Champions League Preview
Benfica’s Champions League campaign began in disastrous fashion, with defeats in each of their opening four league-phase fixtures leaving qualification hopes hanging by a thread. Back-to-back 2-0 victories over Ajax and Napoli briefly reignited belief, but that momentum stalled last week following a 2-0 defeat away to Juventus.
That result means the Portuguese giants no longer control their own destiny. While progression to the knockout playoffs remains mathematically possible, Benfica would need favourable results elsewhere — and a statement victory over Real Madrid, the competition’s most successful side.
Encouragingly for the Eagles, history offers some comfort. Benfica have lifted the European Cup twice, including a famous triumph over Madrid in the 1961–62 final, while a 5-1 home win in their only previous meeting at Estádio da Luz contributes to a respectable record of two wins from three clashes.
Benfica come into Wednesday’s contest buoyed by strong home form, having recorded a fourth straight victory in front of their supporters with a dominant 4-0 league win over Estrela Amadora. That result leaves them third in the Primeira Liga, though still 10 points adrift of the summit.
The response was timely for José Mourinho’s side, who had lost three of their previous four matches — a run that included eliminations from both the Taça da Liga and Taça de Portugal. European progression could therefore provide a much-needed lift.
Madrid, meanwhile, have experienced turbulence of their own. A Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona led to the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, before Álvaro Arbeloa’s first match in charge ended in Copa del Rey elimination against Albacete. However, Los Blancos have since steadied the ship with three consecutive wins across all competitions.
That run includes a 2-0 victory away at Villarreal, where Kylian Mbappé struck twice to move Madrid within one point of the La Liga summit. The Frenchman also netted a brace in a 6-1 Champions League win over Monaco, taking his tally to 11 goals and equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2015–16 record for the most goals in a single group or league-phase campaign.
Having won five of their seven Champions League matches this season, Madrid require just one more victory to secure direct qualification to the last 16. Confidence is high, particularly given they have won eight of their last 10 UEFA encounters with Portuguese opposition, including four successive away victories.
Team News
Benfica remain without Alexander Bah, Samuel Soares, Dodi Lukebakio and Henrique Araújo due to injury, while Richard Ríos is set to miss a fourth straight match. January signing Sidny Lopes Cabral is ineligible, as is Rafa Silva.
Veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi is set to make his 100th Champions League appearance, becoming just the third Argentine to reach that milestone after Lionel Messi and Ángel Di María. Vangelis Pavlidis will lead the line after ending his goal drought with a weekend brace.
Real Madrid will be without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy and Antonio Rüdiger. Aurélien Tchouaméni returns from suspension, while Álvaro Carreras is set to face his former club following last summer’s move from Benfica.