Real Madrid Vs Benfica: Live Score, Preview, Lineup, Telecast Details
| Date | Thursday, January 29, 2026 |
| Time | 01:30 AM IST |
| Venue | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon |
| Competition | Champions League (Matchday 8) |
🏟️ Mourinho vs. Arbeloa: A Master-Student Duel at Da Luz
The final night of the Champions League league phase features a mouth-watering narrative as José Mourinho leads Benfica against his former player Álvaro Arbeloa's Real Madrid. The stakes are starkly different for both giants; Real Madrid, currently 3rd, is aiming to secure a top-eight finish for direct round-of-16 qualification. Meanwhile, Benfica sits 29th and enters a "win or go home" scenario, needing a victory and favorable results elsewhere just to reach the playoff round.
The history between these two favors the Portuguese side, who hold two wins from their three previous competitive meetings, including the 1962 European Cup final. However, Arbeloa's Madrid arrives in Lisbon on a three-match winning streak, most recently demolishing Monaco 6-1, while Benfica is reeling from a 2-0 defeat to Juventus.
- Event: UEFA Champions League Matchday 8
- Date: Thursday, January 29, 2026 (IST)
- Time: 01:30 AM IST
- Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon
- Context: A high-stakes clash where Madrid seeks a top-eight seed and Mourinho fights to keep Benfica's European season alive.
📊 Team Analysis & Form
Benfica (Coach: José Mourinho, Form: W L W L L)
The "Special One" will have to navigate this must-win clash without key players Alexander Bah, Dodi Lukébakio, and Samuel Soares due to injuries. New January signings Sidny Lopes Cabral and Rafa Silva are ineligible for European duty, further thinning Mourinho's options. Despite European struggles, Benfica remains strong domestically, recently thrashing Estrela Amadora 4-0.
Real Madrid (Coach: Álvaro Arbeloa, Form: W W W L L)
Madrid continues to suffer a major defensive crisis. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Antonio Rüdiger have returned to partial training but are not expected to start. Eder Militão and Ferland Mendy are long-term absentees. Federico Valverde is expected to continue filling in at right-back, while youngsters Raúl Asencio and Dean Huijsen anchor the central defense. Up front, Kylian Mbappé remains the primary threat, having already netted 11 goals in this season's competition.
⭐ Key Players
- Benfica: Vangelis Pavlidis (Forward) - The striker has been in sensational form with 27 goals this season and will be the main threat to Madrid's makeshift defense.
- Benfica: Fredrik Aursnes (Midfielder) - The tactical engine for Mourinho's side, vital for disrupting Madrid's flow.
- Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé (Forward) - The tournament's top scorer will look to exploit any gaps as he chases more European records.
- Real Madrid: Jude Bellingham (Midfielder) - Expected to have more attacking freedom in Lisbon to support the front three.
🎯 The Key Battlegrounds
- The Defensive Patchwork: Can Madrid's young central duo of Asencio and Huijsen withstand the pressure of a desperate Pavlidis?
- Tactical Chess: Mourinho's defensive mastery versus Arbeloa's high-flying attacking fluency.
- The Qualification Pressure: Benfica must attack to stay in the competition, which may leave them vulnerable to Madrid's lethal counter-attacks.
🔮 Prediction and Final Word
While Mourinho has a historical edge and Benfica is desperate, Real Madrid's current attacking form is difficult to ignore. Madrid’s depth and individual quality, particularly through Mbappé, should be enough to navigate the hostile atmosphere of Da Luz, even with their defensive injuries.
Predicted Score: Benfica 1–2 Real Madrid
Will Mourinho orchestrate a miracle in Lisbon, or will the "Kings of Europe" seal their direct qualification? Kick-off is at 01:30 AM IST tonight!
Would you like me to provide the confirmed starting lineups for Benfica and Real Madrid as soon as they are announced in Lisbon?
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