Real Madrid Vs Benfica: Playoff Build-up, Mbappé Doubt, Prestianni Suspension and Live Match Updates
Real Madrid Vs Benfica remains the headline tie in the Champions League knockout round play-offs, with multiple developments shaping the contest: Kylian Mbappé is a serious doubt because of ongoing left-knee discomfort, Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni has been provisionally suspended for one match after allegations of racist abuse directed at Vinicius Jr, and live match updates show varying scorelines that put the aggregate balance in focus. These issues matter because they directly affect selection, atmosphere and the immediate outcome of the play-off decider.
Real Madrid Vs Benfica: Mbappé a serious doubt
Kylian Mbappé has been listed as a serious doubt for Real Madrid's Champions League play-off decider with continued discomfort in his left knee. That discomfort has been present since December and has led to him missing several matches, specifically a home win over Real Sociedad in La Liga this month and the Supercopa de España semi-final against Atlético Madrid. He did, however, play 90 minutes in Madrid's last two matches, including the first-leg victory in Lisbon.
Mbappé was described as being in discomfort towards the end of a Tuesday training session, with club staff said to be pessimistic about his chances of recovery. A final decision on his participation was set to take place on Wednesday after discussions between Mbappé and Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa. People close to the player believed he was unlikely to feature. Arbeloa said on Tuesday that the France international is "ready to play" while noting that "everyone knows he’s been dealing with discomfort for several weeks. " Mbappé's season numbers in the available record show 38 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions, including 13 goals in the Champions League.
Prestianni provisional suspension and touchline sanctions
Benfica forward Gianluca Prestianni has been provisionally suspended by UEFA for one match, the suspension described as being applied "without prejudice", following allegations that he racially abused Vinicius Jr in the aftermath of the Brazilian's winner in the first leg. Vinicius Jr reported the alleged racial abuse from Prestianni after that match.
The first leg's aftermath also saw managerial disciplinary consequences: José Mourinho will not be on the touchline for the return match after being sent off late in the first leg.
First-leg scorelines and live updates that matter
The tie's balance is presented differently across live updates. One set of live match notes lists Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (3-1 aggregate) with goals from Vinicius Jr and Tchouaméni putting Real in command after an early setback. Other build-up notes describe Real Madrid entering the second leg with a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, earned through Vinicius Jr's superb strike at Estádio da Luz. Vinicius Jr's goal was described in action detail: he was played through, proved too quick for 38-year-old Nicolás Otamendi and opened his body to create the angle to slide a finish past Anatoliy Trubin.
Wider Champions League play-off landscape and match-day moments
Across the same round, other second-leg and aggregate outcomes were highlighted: Juventus beat Galatasaray 3-0 on the night to finish 5-5 on aggregate, with Weston McKennie, Gatti and Locatelli contributing and Juventus coping with a red card for Kelly; PSG won 2-1 over Monaco to prevail 5-3 on aggregate thanks to goals from Marquinhos and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia against 10-man visitors; and Atalanta advanced after a 4-1 win over Dortmund, a 4-3 aggregate, sealed by a 98th-minute penalty from Samardzic.
Match-day detail also noted game moments such as Kenan Yildiz rattling a post for Juventus and commentary contributions from former professionals Stephen Warnock and Steve McManaman, with additional scheduled commentary later at 22: 40 BST. Within Real Madrid's match-day rotation, two youngsters were given minutes: 21-year-old midfielder/forward César Palacios and 18-year-old midfielder Thiago Pitarch were introduced as substitutes for Arda Guler and Gonzalo García.
What remains uncertain and what to watch for
Key outstanding items that will determine the second-leg complexion include the final decision on Mbappé's fitness after Wednesday discussions with Arbeloa, the effect of Prestianni's provisional one-match suspension "without prejudice" on Benfica's selection and morale, and how Mourinho's absence from the touchline will influence Benfica's match management. Live scoreline discrepancies in build-up notes mean the aggregate picture should be monitored closely as kickoff approaches. These developments are active and may evolve as the day progresses.
Real Madrid Vs Benfica is therefore a multi-layered contest: a fitness question over a central attacking figure, disciplinary fallout from alleged racist abuse, managerial sanctions and live in-game permutations that together shape the immediate outcome of the play-off decider.
