Benfica vs Actual Madrid Highlights and Match Report

UEFA Champions League
8:00 PMFebruary 17, 2026
Spherical of 32
Estádio da Luz
Referee: François Letexier, France


Benfica


Actual Madrid
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0.41
Anticipated objectives (xG)
1.11
Passing
355 (80%)
Correct passes
549 (88%)
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1
G
Anatoliy Trubin
26
D
Samuel Dahl
30
D
Nicolás Otamendi (C)
44
D
Tomás Araújo
17
D
Amar Dedić
8
M
Fredrik Aursnes
18
M
Leandro Barreiro
21
M
Andreas Schjelderup
27
M
Rafa Silva
M
Gianluca Prestianni
14
F
Vangelis Pavlidis
1
G
Thibaut Courtois
18
D
Álvaro Carreras
24
D
Dean Huijsen
22
D
Antonio Rüdiger
12
D
Trent Alexander-Arnold
6
M
Eduardo Camavinga
14
M
Aurélien Tchouaméni
15
M
Arda Güler
8
M
Federico Valverde (C)
F
Vinícius Júnior
50′
F
Kylian Mbappé
Substitutes
16
F
Gonzalo García
19
M
Dani Ceballos
28
M
Jorge Cestero
30
F
Franco Mastantuono
20
D
Fran García
23
D
Ferland Mendy
36
D
Joan Martínez
4
D
David Alaba
13
G
Andriy Lunin
M
Thiago Pitarch
D
Daniel Carvajal
M
Brahim Díaz

UEFA Champions League Standings – UEFA Champions League
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (Play Offs: 1/8-finals)
- Promotion – Champions League (Play Offs: 1/16-finals)
Actual Madrid secured a vital away victory towards Benfica on the Estádio da Luz, with Vinicius Junior’s second-half strike proving the distinction.
Actual Madrid edged Benfica 1-0 in a tense UEFA Champions League encounter on February 17, 2026. Vinicius Junior emerged because the match-winner, scoring the decisive objective early within the second half. His particular person brilliance settled a hard-fought contest.
Coming into this Group Stage fixture, Actual Madrid held a powerful place with 12 factors from 5 video games. Benfica, nevertheless, confronted an uphill battle, languishing with simply three factors. The Portuguese giants desperately sought an important dwelling win to maintain their European hopes alive.
The primary half at Estádio da Luz was a tightly contested affair. Actual Madrid managed possession, dictating the tempo of the sport with their fluid passing. They pushed ahead, attempting to unlock the house facet’s organised defence.
Benfica defended resolutely, absorbing sustained strain from the Spanish guests. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin proved a formidable barrier. He made six essential saves, denying efforts from Vinicius Junior and Arda Güler with sharp reflexes.
Regardless of Actual Madrid’s 58% possession, Benfica managed to restrict clear-cut probabilities. Nicolás Otamendi marshalled the defence successfully. Each groups headed into the break with the rating stage at 0-0.
Actual Madrid wanted to discover a leading edge to interrupt Benfica’s cussed resistance after the interval. Benfica aimed to keep up their defensive form and capitalize on swift counter-attacking alternatives. The second half promised extra depth.
The impasse lastly broke 5 minutes after the restart. Kylian Mbappe offered a pointy, incisive go into the field. Vinicius Junior acquired the ball and coolly slotted it previous Trubin within the fiftieth minute, sparking Actual Madrid celebrations.
Only a minute later, Vinicius Junior acquired a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct. Benfica responded with tactical modifications, introducing Rafa Silva and Andreas Schjelderup within the 74th minute. They tried to inject tempo and creativity into their assault.
The house facet’s problem grew to become considerably tougher within the eighty fifth minute. Benfica’s J. Mourinho acquired two fast yellow playing cards, resulting in a crimson card. This noticed him despatched off, lowering Benfica to 10 males for the rest of the match.
Regardless of the numerical drawback, Benfica pressed ahead in quest of an equalizer. G. Prestianni had earlier been booked for diving within the 78th minute. G. Sudakov additionally earned a yellow card in stoppage time, reflecting Benfica’s rising frustration.
Actual Madrid managed the sport successfully within the closing phases. They launched Arda Güler, Eduardo Camavinga, and Álvaro Carreras to shore up their midfield and defence. The guests noticed out their slender lead professionally.
Actual Madrid demonstrated their dominance with 58% ball possession and 16 whole pictures, seven of which have been on the right track. Their anticipated objectives (xG) stood at 1.11 in comparison with Benfica’s 0.41. Benfica solely managed three pictures on the right track regardless of their efforts.
This slender 1-0 victory consolidates Actual Madrid’s robust place within the Champions League group. Benfica’s hopes of development now grasp by a thread after one other disappointing dwelling end result. The efficiency highlighted Actual Madrid’s medical edge and title credentials.

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