Vinicius Strikes as Real Madrid Secure Lisbon Revenge

In a gripping encounter at the Estádio da Luz, Real Madrid successfully exorcised the ghosts of their recent past by securing a slender 1-0 victory over Benfica in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round-of-16 play-offs. This result marks a significant turnaround for the Spanish giants, who had suffered a humiliating 4-2 defeat on this very pitch during the league phase just three weeks prior—a loss that ultimately relegated them to the play-off rounds.

Dominance and Deadlock

From the opening whistle, Carlo Ancelotti’s men—now under the tactical guidance of Alvaro Arbeloa—displayed a sense of urgency. The first half was defined by squandered opportunities. In the 19th minute, Vinícius Júnior saw a curling effort shave the upright, while a 40th-minute chance went begging when Kylian Mbappé failed to connect with a low cross just yards from the goal-line.

Benfica were not without their threats. In the 24th minute, a deflected strike from Fredrik seemed destined for the back of the net, only for the ever-reliable Thibaut Courtois to produce a stunning fingertip save.

Record-Breaking Vinícius and Touchline Turmoil

The deadlock was finally broken in the 50th minute. Collecting a precise pass from Mbappé, Vinícius burst into the penalty area and expertly slotted the ball into the far corner. This goal marked his 31st in the Champions League, moving him past the legendary Kaká to become the second-highest Brazilian goalscorer in the competition’s history, trailing only Neymar (43).

However, the celebration turned sour. Vinícius's allegedly provocative gestures towards the home supporters sparked a melee on the pitch, resulting in a yellow card for the forward. The match was delayed for nearly ten minutes as a frustrated Vinícius retreated to the dugout, engaging in a heated verbal exchange with Benfica’s manager, José Mourinho.

The drama culminated in the 85th minute. After a penalty shout for a challenge by Vinícius on Benfica’s Reus was waved away, Mourinho’s persistent protests led to a second yellow card, seeing the "Special One" sent to the stands.

Champions League Play-off Results: First Leg

PSG Edge Monaco in Five-Goal Thriller

Parallel to the drama in Lisbon, Paris Saint-Germain secured a vital 3-2 away win against Monaco. The reigning champions showcased their clinical finishing in a back-and-forth contest, providing them with a slender advantage heading into the return leg at the Parc des Princes.

Looking Ahead

Real Madrid will host Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu next week. With a one-goal lead and the home advantage, the Merengues are favourites to progress, though they will have to manage the disciplinary tightrope and the emotional volatility that defined this first leg.