Benfica and Real Madrid meet in high-stakes Champions League playoff at Estádio da Luz
Benfica and Real Madrid face off in the first leg of a two-legged Champions League playoff at the Estádio da Luz on February 17, 2026. Kickoff is scheduled for 3: 00 PM ET; the return match is set for February 25 in Madrid. The tie carries extra spice after a dramatic league meeting that saw Benfica book its path forward with a last-gasp goalkeeper goal.
Mourinho's selection and the shadow of Lisbon's late drama
José Mourinho has named a strong XI, with Anatoliy Trubin in goal and an attack built around Prestianni, Sudakov and Schjelderup, flanked by Pavlidis up front. Defensive leadership comes from Otamendi, while Aursnes and Dedic are available and expected to play key roles in midfield and attack. Mourinho has framed the tie as one that requires Benfica to reach the highest possible level — not a miracle, but a near-perfect performance — and his team selection underlines that ambition.
The recent memory of their dramatic league clash looms large. In that game the Benfica goalkeeper advanced into the opposition box in stoppage time to head in a decisive goal, a finish that not only decided the match but altered both clubs' European trajectories. That finish stung Madrid and gave Benfica momentum and belief heading into this knockout sequence.
Real Madrid's response: personnel issues and a demand for a 'complete' performance
The opposition arrive with clear priorities. Álvaro Arbeloa has called for a full, focused performance from his players rather than revenge. Madrid are missing key figures: Rodrygo is suspended after being sent off in the previous league meeting and faces a multi-game ban; Jude Bellingham is sidelined by a thigh injury; and Éder Militão has been unavailable since December. That said, Kylian Mbappé returns to the starting lineup, offering a massive attacking threat alongside Vinícius Júnior and Arda Güler.
Arbeloa has stressed that the objective is to progress in the Champions League and that doing so will require excellence in all phases — defending set pieces, maintaining concentration for 90 minutes and balancing attack with defensive solidity. Madrid arrive on decent form in the domestic league, using a run of recent wins to regain rhythm ahead of this knockout encounter.
Tactical battlegrounds and what to watch over two legs
This tie will likely be decided on a few recurring themes. Set pieces and defensive organization are central: both sides have shown vulnerability and brilliance from dead-ball situations, and the potential for goalkeepers or defenders to impact the scoreline at either end remains real. Trubin's willingness to join attacking set plays is a wild card that could repeat or shift defensive priorities for Madrid.
Midfield control will be decisive. Benfica's engine room must match Madrid's physicality and mobility to prevent transitions that favour Mbappé and Vinícius. If Aursnes and Dedic reach top form, Benfica can dominate possession and create overloads in wide areas. Conversely, if Madrid's central trio can press effectively and exploit space between the lines, they can unlock opportunities on the counter.
Over the two legs, discipline and game management will matter as much as raw quality. Early cards or a sending-off could rewrite the tie, and the team that handles momentum shifts best will carry a significant advantage into the second leg in Madrid on February 25, 2026.
This encounter is a true litmus test for both coaches: Mourinho aiming to harness home advantage and the psychological edge from past scenes, and Arbeloa seeking a clinical, composed response that advances his side's Champions League ambitions.
