Real Madrid will aim to avenge their dramatic league-phase defeat to Benfica when the two sides meet in the Champions League knockout play-offs on Tuesday. The clash at the Estádio da Luz comes three weeks after Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a stoppage-time header to seal a 4-2 victory and knock Real out of the automatic top-eight places.
Trubin’s goal, which secured Benfica’s place in the play-offs, was one of the most memorable moments of the group stage. Real Madrid finished that match with nine men, with Rodrygo and Raul Asencio both sent off. Those suspensions carry over into this fixture, ruling the pair out of the play-off first leg.
Jude Bellingham and Eder Militao remain sidelined through injury for Real, but Kylian Mbappe is fit after missing the weekend’s LaLiga win over Real Sociedad. Benfica, meanwhile, have doubts over Samuel Soares, Fredrik Aursnes and Joao Veloso, while Alexander Bah and Richard Rios are unlikely to feature after returning to training.
The match kicks off at 8pm GMT and will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video in the UK, with coverage starting at 7pm. Both sides have named strong line-ups: Benfica start with Trubin in goal, while Real Madrid field Courtois, with Mbappe and Vinicius Jr leading the attack.
