Real Madrid vs. Benfica LIVE Updates: Aurelien Tchouameni equalizes the game (1-1)

After reaching the byline, Schjelderup delivered a cross that found no one, sparing Real Madrid from conceding another goal.

After winning the ball high up the pitch, Tchouameni switched play to the right, where Federico Valverde delivered a cross to the edge of the box, and the French midfielder arrived to finish clinically and score the equalizer.

After a great through ball, striker Vangelos Pavlidis drifted to the right and delivered a cross that was intercepted by Raul Asencio, who nearly turned it into his own net. After Thibaut Courtois spilled the rebound, Rafa Silva pounced on the loose ball and finished into an open net to score the opening goal of the game.

Aside from an early header from Leandro Barreiro, Benfica are struggling to generate high-quality opportunities against a well-organized Real Madrid side.

Dribbling from the left side, Vinicius played a one-two with Arda Guler who played a great ball into the box, with the Brazilian unleashing a strike that went just wide.

Trailing on aggregate, Benfica are pressing high up the pitch, looking to force a defensive mistake from Real Madrid while maintaining possession whenever possible.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid are holding their defensive shape and waiting to catch Benfica on the counterattack, with Vinícius Júnior as their primary outlet.

Referee Slavko Vincic blows his whistle, and the UEFA Champions League playoffs second leg between Real Madrid and Benfica is underway!

Speaking to Movistar+ prior to the game Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa revealed how the decision to sideline Mbappe was taken: “It was somewhat a collective decision among everyone — first based on how he was feeling, and then after speaking with the doctors, we believe the best thing is for him to stop and return at 100%."

The Spanish coach, when asked whether he'll be only sidelined for the Benfica game, he made a pessimistic update. "I couldn’t tell you right now. I don’t think it will be a matter of days; it will likely be longer, but I can’t say how much time exactly," he added.

Benfica are one of the few clubs in history that can claim a winning record against Real Madrid. Across the five meetings between the sides in UEFA competitions, three have gone in favor of the Portuguese club, while two — including last week’s clash — have been won by the Spanish giants.

Their most iconic encounter came in the 1962 European Cup final, when Benfica defeated Madrid 5–3 to lift the trophy.

Slovenian official Slavko Vinčić will referee Wednesday’s Champions League clash between Real Madrid and Benfica.

The 46-year-old has previously overseen three Real Madrid matches (two wins, one loss), including the 2023–24 Champions League final, when Madrid defeated Borussia Dortmund. He has also officiated six Benfica games (two wins, three draws, one loss), among them a Club World Cup match against Chelsea in which he sent off Gianluca Prestianni.

Match officiating team:

Referee: Slavko Vincic
Assistant Referee 1: Tomaz Klancnik
Assistant Referee 2: Andraz Kovacic
Fourth official: David Smajc
VAR: Christian Dingert

In an already heated atmosphere surrounding the match, tensions spilled over outside the stadium before kickoff. Several Benfica supporters were involved in confrontations with local police.

Some fans even required medical attention following the incidents, though full details on injuries and causes of the clashes have not yet been confirmed.

Head coach Jose Mourinho confirmed the starting XI that'll be pushing for the comeback at the Santiago Bernabeu (4-2-3-1): Anatoliy Trubin; Amar Dedic, Nicolas Otamendi, Tomas Araujo, Samuel Dahl; Leandro Barreiro, Richard Rios; Fredrik Aursnes, Rafa Silva, Andreas Schjelderup; Vangelos Pavlidis.

After delivering an assist to Vinícius Júnior in the first leg, Kylian Mbappé will not play against Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu. The Real Madrid star suffered a setback in his left knee during Tuesday’s training session, prompting the decision to rule him out of the match.

To avoid any risk, Mbappé has not only been left out of the starting XI but was also excluded entirely from Madrid’s matchday squad, meaning he won’t even be available as a substitute.

Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed the players that'll be facing Benfica from the start (4-4-2): Thibaut Courtois; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Alvaro Carreras; Federico Valverde, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Eduardo Camavinga; Gonzalo Garcia, Vinicius Junior.

Gianluca Prestianni won't be performing for Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League against Real Madrid. Following Vinícius Jr.’s complaint of racial discrimination, UEFA has imposed a provisional 1-game suspension to the Argentine, ruling him out of the second leg, and even though Benfica appealed the decision, the organization decided to reject the appeal.

After the decision, Prestianni broke the silence delivering a message on his X (formerly Twitter) account that would eventually end up being deleted: "Apparently, you can throw a punch without the ball and get no sanction. Apparently, you can sanction someone without proof. They aren't even trying to hide it anymore when it comes to Real (Madrid). It is a disgrace."

The game between Real Madrid and Benfica game will begin at 3:00 PM (ET).

You can watch the UEFA Champions League match live on Paramount+, DirecTV Stream, UniMás, TUDN and ViX.

Welcome to our live blog of the game between Real Madrid and Benfica for the second leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League playoffs. Stay with us for all the latest updates and minute-by-minute coverage of the heated clash!