The rivalry between SL Benfica and Real Madrid reached a new peak during their Champions League knockout phase playoff first leg on February 17, 2026. Played at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon, the match ended in a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid, providing redemption for the Spanish giants after a dismal 4-2 defeat they suffered against the Portuguese side in the league phase just weeks earlier.

The game's decisive moment occurred in the 50th minute when Vinicius Junior scored what was described as a "wonder goal," curling a sumptuous effort into the top corner. However, the victory was heavily overshadowed by a major controversy involving allegations of racial abuse aimed at the Brazilian forward. Following his goal celebration—for which he was booked by referee Francois Letexier—Vinicius engaged in a heated confrontation with Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni.

Vinicius informed the referee that Prestianni had called him "mono" (the Spanish word for monkey). This accusation led Letexier to implement the official racism protocol, resulting in a match stoppage that lasted more than 10 minutes. While Jose Mourinho stated that Prestianni denied the slurs, Real Madrid players, including captain Federico Valverde and Kylian Mbappé, vocally supported Vinicius, with Mbappé calling for Prestianni to be banned from the competition.

The managerial battle between former colleagues was equally volatile. Jose Mourinho was sent off in the 85th minute for his vociferous protests, meaning he will be suspended for the second leg at his "old hunting ground," the Santiago Bernabéu, next week. Despite the 12 minutes of added time following the long stoppage, Benfica could not find an equalizer against Álvaro Arbeloa’s sturdier defense, which saw the return of Antonio Rüdiger and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

This modern clash adds another chapter to a fixture with deep historical roots. The two clubs were the only teams to have won the trophy prior to their famous meeting in the 1962 European Cup final. In that historic match at the Olympisch Stadion in Amsterdam, Benfica defeated Real Madrid 5-3 to successfully defend their title. That final was notable for Ferenc Puskás becoming the first player to score a hat-trick for a losing side in a European Cup final.

In the lead-up to the 2026 playoff, the rivalry was further intensified by Benfica's recent 4-2 victory in January 2026, a match highlighted by a dramatic 98th-minute header from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. Despite that recent loss, Real Madrid's narrow 1-0 win in the playoff first leg now gives them the advantage as they prepare for the return leg in Spain.

AI tools were used in the translation.

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