LISBON, Portugal – Real Madrid moves closer to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 after defeating Benfica 0-1 in the first leg of the ‘playoff’, played at the Estádio da Luz in front of more than 65,000 spectators. The merengue team demonstrated defensive solidity and took advantage of their opportunities, securing the victory with a goal from Vinícius Júnior at the beginning of the second half.
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First Half with Alternating Dominance
The match began with both teams seeking control. Benfica created danger down the wings, with Andreas Schjelderup and Gianluca Prestianni as protagonists. For their part, Madrid tried to penetrate with Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga. Thibaut Courtois, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper, was crucial in stopping a shot from Fredrik Aursnes. In the final stretch of the first half, Madrid intensified their attack, testing goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, who maintained the tie before halftime.Vinícius Imbalances the Match
The difference came in the 49th minute, when Vinícius made an individual play, surpassing his marker and scoring to make it 0-1. After the goal, referee François Letexier activated the anti-racism protocol due to alleged insults directed at Vinícius from the stands, interrupting the game for a few minutes before resuming.Madrid’s Control and Mourinho’s Expulsion
Real Madrid controlled the pace of the match in the second half, with Aurélien Tchouaméni standing out in containing the Portuguese attacks. In the 84th minute, José Mourinho, Benfica’s coach, was sent off for protesting a referee’s decision, missing the return match at the Santiago Bernabéu. The match ended after more than 100 minutes, with a minimal advantage for Real Madrid, who will seek to secure their place at home.Technical Sheet
Benfica (0): Trubin; Dedic, Tomás Araújo, Nicolás Otamendi, Dahl; Schjelderup (Ríos, 73’), Aursnes, Barreiro; Rafa Silva (Sudakov, 73’), Prestianni, Pavlidis.Real Madrid (1): Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Álvaro Carreras (Carvajal, 98’); Arda Güler (Brahim, 86’), Valverde, Tchouaméni, Camavinga (Pitarch, 93’); Vinícius and Mbappé.
Goal: 0-1, min. 49: Vinícius.
Referee: François Letexier (France). He cautioned Vinícius and Mbappé; Prestianni for Benfica. He sent off José Mourinho.Stadium: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon.
