The UEFA Champions League knockout play-off 1st leg between Benfica vs Real Madrid will be played at Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz) in Lisbon, with kick-off scheduled for 01:30 AM (18 February 2026).
With a capacity of 65,647 and cool 12°C conditions expected, this first leg promises intensity and tactical discipline. Benfica come into this fixture full of confidence after defeating Madrid 4–2 in the league phase, while Real Madrid arrive as La Liga leaders with attacking firepower led by Kylian Mbappé.
Match Overview – Benfica vs Real Madrid
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Benfica vs Real Madrid |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League |
| Stage | Knockout Play-Off – 1st Leg |
| Date & Time | 18 February 2026 – 01:30 AM |
| Venue | Estádio da Luz |
| Location | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Capacity | 65,647 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 12°C – Cool Conditions |
This is a classic European heavyweight clash between Portuguese resilience and Spanish dominance.
Season So Far Comparison – Benfica vs Real Madrid
| Statistic | Benfica | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 8 | 8 |
| Wins | 3 | 5 |
| Losses | 5 | 3 |
| Goals Scored | 10 | 21 |
| Goals Conceded | 12 | 12 |
| Possession (%) | 46% | 56% |
| Passing Accuracy (%) | 84% | 88% |
| Tackles Won | 65 | 76 |
| Clean Sheets | 2 | 2 |
Real Madrid’s attacking superiority is clear with 21 goals compared to Benfica’s 10. However, Benfica’s defensive discipline and tactical compactness under José Mourinho could neutralize Madrid’s dominance at home.
Recent Form Guide – Benfica vs Real Madrid
Benfica (Last 5 Matches)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13/02 | Santa Clara (A) | Win | 1–2 | Liga Portugal |
| 08/02 | Alverca (H) | Win | 2–1 | Liga Portugal |
| 01/02 | Tondela (A) | Draw | 0–0 | Liga Portugal |
| 28/01 | Real Madrid (H) | Win | 4–2 | Champions League |
| 25/01 | Estrela Amadora (H) | Win | 4–0 | Liga Portugal |
Benfica are unbeaten in four of their last five matches and have already shown they can hurt Madrid’s defense.
Real Madrid (Last 5 Matches)
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14/02 | Real Sociedad (H) | Win | 4–1 | La Liga |
| 08/02 | Valencia (A) | Win | 0–2 | La Liga |
| 01/02 | Rayo Vallecano (H) | Win | 2–1 | La Liga |
| 28/01 | Benfica (A) | Loss | 4–2 | Champions League |
| 24/01 | Villarreal (A) | Win | 0–2 | La Liga |
Madrid have won four of their last five games and will be motivated to avenge their previous defeat in Lisbon.
Head-to-Head – Benfica vs Real Madrid
| Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 28/01/2026 | Benfica 4–2 Real Madrid | UCL League Phase |
| 28/07/2012 | Benfica 5–2 Real Madrid | Eusébio Cup |
Benfica surprisingly hold the recent advantage in Lisbon, but knockout football brings a different level of intensity.
Top Scorers to Watch
| Player | Team | Goals | Assists | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kylian Mbappé | Real Madrid | 13 | 1 | 7 |
| Vangelis Pavlidis | Benfica | 9 | 2 | 8 |
Mbappé’s pace and clinical finishing make him the most dangerous player on the pitch, while Pavlidis has been Benfica’s reliable goal source.
Predicted Lineups – Benfica vs Real Madrid
Benfica (4-2-3-1): Anatoliy Trubin–Amar Dedic – Tomas Araujo – Nicolás Otamendi – Samuel Dahl–Leandro Barreiro – Enzo Barrenechea–Gianluca Prestianni – Georgiy Sudakov – Andreas Schjelderup–Vangelis Pavlidis
Real Madrid (4-3-3) : Thibaut Courtois–Trent Alexander-Arnold – Antonio Rüdiger – Dean Huijsen – Alvaro Carreras–Federico Valverde – Aurélien Tchouaméni – Eduardo Camavinga–Arda Güler – Kylian Mbappé – Vinicius Junior
Unavailable Players
| Team | Players Out |
|---|---|
| Benfica | Olivio Tome (Suspension), Joao Veloso, Samuel Soares |
| Real Madrid | Éder Militao, Raul Asencio, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo |
Statistical Projection – Benfica vs Real Madrid
| Metric | Benfica | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Win Probability | 28% | 48% |
| Draw Probability | 24% | — |
| Expected Possession | 44% | 56% |
| Shots on Target | 4–6 | 6–9 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 1.3–1.6 | 1.9–2.4 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 30% | 34% |
| Most Likely Scorer | Pavlidis | Mbappé |
Real Madrid are projected to control possession and generate more high-quality chances, but Benfica’s home advantage keeps the tie balanced.
✅ Final Score Prediction
Benfica 1–2 Real Madrid
Likely Scorers:
- Kylian Mbappé
- Vinicius Junior
- Vangelis Pavlidis
Madrid’s superior attacking depth and Champions League pedigree give them a slight edge in the first leg, but the tie remains open heading into the return fixture.
Read More:- Girona vs Barcelona Prediction, Lineups & Score Forecast Round 24 La Liga
Suggested Tips (Informational Only)
- Real Madrid to Win
- Both Teams to Score – Yes
- Over 2.5 Goals
- Anytime Scorer: Kylian Mbappé
⚠️ All predictions are for informational purposes only. Football outcomes are unpredictable—enjoy responsibly.
FAQs – Benfica vs Real Madrid
1.What time is Benfica vs Real Madrid?
Kick-off is at 01:30 AM on 18 February 2026.
2.Where is the match being played?
At Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal.
3.Who is favorite to win?
Real Madrid are slight favorites based on attacking form and overall European experience.
4.What was the result in their last meeting?
Benfica won 4–2 in January 2026.
5.What is the predicted score?
A 2–1 away win for Real Madrid.