The Round 8 UEFA Champions League showdown between Benfica vs Real Madrid takes place at the iconic Estádio da Luz, with kick-off scheduled for 01:30 AM (IST) on Thursday, 29 January 2026.
This fixture pits a proud Portuguese giant fighting for survival in the league phase against Europe’s most decorated club, already cruising toward qualification. Benfica’s strong home atmosphere and recent domestic momentum give them hope, but Real Madrid’s elite-level control, defensive solidity, and ruthless counter-attacking make them clear favorites on paper.
Match Overview – Benfica vs Real Madrid
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fixture | Benfica vs Real Madrid |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League |
| Round | Round 8 (League Phase) |
| Date & Kick-Off | Thursday, 29 January 2026 – 01:30 AM (IST) |
| Venue | Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica (da Luz) |
| Location | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Capacity | 65,647 |
| Surface | Grass |
| Weather | 14°C – Mild |
Match Insight: Real Madrid are the only top-five league team in Europe yet to concede a first-half shot on target in 2026—an extraordinary marker of control and defensive organization.
Key Match Summary – Important Stats (2025/26)
| Category | Benfica | Real Madrid | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Matches Played | 7 | 7 | — |
| Wins | 2 | 5 | Real Madrid |
| Goals Scored | 6 | 19 | Real Madrid |
| Goals Conceded | 10 | 8 | Real Madrid |
| Possession (%) | 48 | 55 | Real Madrid |
| Passing Accuracy (%) | 85 | 88 | Real Madrid |
| Tackles Won | 50 | 67 | Real Madrid |
| Clean Sheets | 2 | 2 | Even |
| Yellow Cards | 12 | 15 | Benfica (more disciplined) |
| Red Cards | 1 | 1 | Even |
Recent Form Guide – Benfica vs Real Madrid
Benfica – Last 5 Matches (W–L–W–L–L)
| Date | Opponent | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25/01/26 | Estrela Amadora | 4–0 | Primeira Liga |
| 21/01/26 | Juventus | 0–2 | UCL |
| 17/01/26 | Rio Ave | 2–0 | Primeira Liga |
| 14/01/26 | Porto | 0–1 | Taça de Portugal |
| 07/01/26 | Braga | 1–3 | Primeira Liga |
Real Madrid – Last 5 Matches (W–W–W–L–L)
| Date | Opponent | Score | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24/01/26 | Villarreal | 2–0 | La Liga |
| 20/01/26 | Monaco | 6–1 | UCL |
| 17/01/26 | Levante | 2–0 | La Liga |
| 14/01/26 | Albacete | 2–3 | Copa del Rey |
| 11/01/26 | Barcelona | 2–3 | Supercopa |
Head-to-Head – Benfica vs Real Madrid
| Date | Competition | Match | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 27, 2012 | Eusébio Cup | Benfica vs Real Madrid | Benfica 5–2 |
While that friendly is the most recent meeting, competitive history overwhelmingly favors Los Blancos.
Top Scorers to Watch
- Benfica: Vangelis Pavlidis – 7 goals 12 Matches (including qualifying rounds))
- Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé – 11 goals (6 UCL matches)
Mbappé’s Champions League output has been devastating, averaging nearly two goals per match.
Predicted Lineups – Benfica vs Real Madrid
Benfica (4-2-3-1)
Anatoliy Trubin – Amar Dedić, Tomás Araújo, Nicolás Otamendi, Samuel Dahl –
Leandro Barreiro, Enzo Barrenechea – Fredrik Aursnes, Georgiy Sudakov, Gianluca Prestianni –
Vangelis Pavlidis
Real Madrid (4-1-2-3)
Thibaut Courtois – Federico Valverde, Raúl Asencio, Dean Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras –
Aurélien Tchouaméni – Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham –
Franco Mastantuono, Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
Unavailable Players
| Team | Players Out |
|---|---|
| Benfica | Samuel Soares, Alexander Bah, João Veloso, Richard Ríos, Dodi Lukebakio |
| Real Madrid | Antonio Rüdiger, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, Trent Alexander-Arnold |
Statistical Projection – Benfica vs Real Madrid
| Metric | Benfica | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Win Probability | 18% | 58% |
| Draw Probability | 24% | — |
| Expected Possession | 44–47% | 53–56% |
| Shots on Target | 3–4 | 6–8 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.9–1.1 | 1.9–2.3 |
| Clean Sheet Probability | 22% | 45% |
| Most Likely Scorer | Pavlidis | Mbappé |
✅ Final Score Prediction
Benfica 1–3 Real Madrid
Likely Scorers:
- Vangelis Pavlidis (Benfica)
- Kylian Mbappé (2), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid)
Real Madrid’s pace in transition, elite midfield control, and Mbappé’s finishing edge should eventually overwhelm Benfica, even in a hostile Estádio da Luz atmosphere.
Confidence Levels
- Benfica Win: 18%
- Draw: 24%
- Real Madrid Win: 58%
Read More:-
Suggested Tips (Informational Only)
- Real Madrid to Win
- Over 2.5 Total Goals
- Both Teams to Score: Yes
- Anytime Scorer: Kylian Mbappé
⚠️ All predictions are for informational purposes only. Betting involves risk—please play responsibly.
FAQs – Benfica vs Real Madrid
1.What time is Benfica vs Real Madrid?
Kick-off is at 01:30 AM (IST) on Thursday, 29 January 2026.
2.Where is the match being played?
At Estádio da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal.
3.Who are the key players to watch?
Vangelis Pavlidis for Benfica and Kylian Mbappé for Real Madrid.
4.What is the predicted score?
A 3–1 away win for Real Madrid in Round 8 of the UEFA Champions League.