Vinicius shines as Real Madrid gains a significant advantage in the Champions League play-off

(Football results) - Real Madrid faced a stressful and turbulent 90 minutes at Benfica’s ground, yet Vinícius’ classy strike ensured the away team won by a slim 1-0 margin.

In the early hours of February 18 (Vietnam time), Real Madrid traveled to a challenging away match against Benfica in the first leg of the play-off round of the 2025/26 Champions League.

This is a stage Real Madrid never wanted to be in, especially after a disappointing defeat to Benfica previously. However, with Trent Alexander-Arnold in top form and Antonio Rüdiger back in defense, the Spanish giants started the match with clear confidence. Federico Valverde wore the captain's armband, while the attacking line featured familiar faces.

The first half saw Real Madrid dominate possession with numerous incisive passes. Alexander-Arnold and Valverde consistently controlled the tempo, creating chances for Vinícius Júnior and Kylian Mbappé to threaten the home goal. Despite their efforts, poor finishing prevented the visitors from scoring. Benfica also had notable opportunities, with Fredrik Aursnes forcing Thibaut Courtois into a fine save, but the half ended goalless.

The turning point came early in the second half. From a superb move near the edge of the penalty area, Vinícius Jr unleashed an unstoppable shot to put Real Madrid ahead. However, the match quickly descended into chaos. The Brazilian star received a yellow card for his celebration, followed by a heated dispute with Benfica’s Gianluca Prestiani. The referee had to pause the game for nearly 10 minutes to handle the complaints, disrupting the flow entirely.

After play resumed, the game became fragmented. Tensions escalated further when José Mourinho was sent off following a strong reaction from Benfica’s technical area. Despite enduring psychological pressure and 12 minutes of added time, Real Madrid maintained their composure, controlled the game, and preserved their narrow 1-0 win.

A strange, controversial, and emotional match, but Real Madrid left Lisbon with a crucial advantage ahead of the second leg.