Real Madrid vs Benfica: Champions League Playoff Second Leg Preview
Real Madrid hosts Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu tonight, defending a narrow 1-0 aggregate lead as they aim to secure a spot in the Champions League Round of 16. While Los Blancos were clinical in Lisbon, their morale took a hit over the weekend following a 2-1 defeat to Osasuna—their first league loss of 2026—which saw them surrender the top spot in La Liga to Barcelona.
Benfica arrives in Madrid with everything to play for. Despite a comfortable 3-0 win in their domestic league, they remain seven points adrift of leaders Porto. With their domestic cup campaigns already over, the Champions League represents their final hope for silverware this season. However, they must overcome the absence of Gianluca Prestianni, who is suspended following a UEFA investigation into an incident during the first leg.
Match Logistics
| Category | Details |
| Fixture | Real Madrid vs. Benfica (Agg: 1-0) |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League Playoff – 2nd Leg |
| Date | Wednesday, February 25, 2026 |
| Kick-off Time | 8:00 PM GMT / 3:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM Local |
| Venue | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid |
| Live Coverage | TNT Sports 2 (UK) / ESPN+ (US) / TSN+ (Canada) |
Team News
Real Madrid:
Alvaro Arbeloa receives a significant boost with the return of Raul Asencio, who missed the first leg due to suspension. This return is timely as Dean Huijsen remains a major doubt with an injury. Kylian Mbappé and Trent Alexander-Arnold are both fit and expected to start, though Jude Bellingham, Eder Militão, and Dani Ceballos remain sidelined. Rodrygo’s availability is still under evaluation.
Benfica:
The visitors are reeling from the one-match suspension of 20-year-old Gianluca Prestianni. His absence leaves a gap in an attack that previously managed to put four goals past Madrid during the league phase. Benfica will need to replicate that offensive intensity without one of their most dangerous creative outlets.
Match Betting Odds (via DraftKings)
| Market | Outcome | Odds |
| Moneyline | Real Madrid Win | -220 |
| Draw | +400 | |
| Benfica Win | +500 | |
| BTTS | Yes | -165 |
| No | +130 | |
| Total Goals | Over 2.5 | -155 |
| Under 2.5 | +125 |
Expert Prediction
The Bernabéu is a fortress on European nights. While Benfica’s previous 4-2 win over Madrid in the league phase proves they can hurt the Spanish giants, the pressure of a knockout second leg usually favors the experience of Real Madrid. Expect a high-intensity start from the hosts to put the tie to bed early.
Final Score Prediction: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 on aggregate).
Stay updated with every moment of the action! You can follow the live scores, real-time statistics, confirmed starting lineups, and much more right here on Yalla Shoot English. Don’t miss a single detail of this Champions League showdown—get all the expert insights and live updates in one place.
