Madrid’s Fearsome Trio Lead Real Madrid as Mourinho Rings the Doorbell Again
16 February 2026
Benfica host Real Madrid in Lisbon on Tuesday for the first leg of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League Round of 16. The match comes a few weeks after Benfica's dramatic 4-2 league win over Madrid, underscoring Benfica's growing willingness to challenge Europe's giants and leaving Madrid reeling in domestic competition.
That defeat wasn't merely a few points lost; it was a moral blow that knocked Madrid out of the top eight, turning this tie into a real test of character.
Match Context
Alvaro Arbeloa returns with a mission to restore continental swagger, aiming to guide Real Madrid to a victory that reasserts European balance ahead of the return leg in Madrid.
Mourinho seeks to prove that his previous success wasn't a fluke, but the product of a systematic plan able to topple another European powerhouse again.
Predicted Lineups
Predicted lineups, according to Marca: Real Madrid — Courtois; Trént, Rudiger, Huesen, Carerras; Chouaméni, Valverde, Camavinga; Guler, Vinícius, Mbappé. Benfica — Troben; Didek, Otamendi, Araújo, Dal; Orsenis, Barreiro; Bristianni, Sudakov, Schildroop, Pavlidis.
Kick-off is scheduled for 21:00 local time on 17 February 2026 at Estádio da Luz.
As the tie unfolds, Madrid will look to reclaim European dominance while Benfica hopes to extend its own ascent up the continent's pecking order.
Punchline 1: Real Madrid's plan is so detailed that even their coffee breaks come with a tactical briefing.
Punchline 2: Benfica in Lisbon, Madrid in formation—it's not a chess game, but the queen is clearly the ball and the rooks are the fans shouting "Go!"
