Benfica vs Real Madrid: Head-to-Head Record & Results
Every so often, a head-to-head record defies the usual hierarchy. That’s the case with Benfica and Real Madrid: across three recent Champions League meetings, the Portuguese side leads after a 4-2 thrashing in January 2026.
Total head-to-head matches (since 2012): 3 ·
Real Madrid wins: 1 ·
Benfica wins: 2 ·
Most recent match result: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (Feb 25, 2026)
Quick snapshot
- Benfica leads the head-to-head 2-1 since 2012 (AiScore (football statistics aggregator))
- Biggest win: Benfica 4-2 on Jan 28, 2026 (ESPN (sports media network))
- Whether Benfica will qualify for the next Champions League season
- Exact nature of Kylian Mbappé’s absence from the second leg
- Whether the two teams will meet again in the 2026/27 Champions League
- Jan 28, 2026: Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid (first leg) (ESPN (sports media network))
- Feb 25, 2026: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (second leg) (BBC Sport (public-service sports broadcaster))
- No scheduled future matchup; both clubs continue in their domestic leagues
- Possible future Champions League draw reunion
Three meetings, one clear pattern: Benfica has been the sharper side in front of goal. The numbers below sum up the short but telling record.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Total meetings (since 2012) | 3 |
| Real Madrid wins | 1 |
| Benfica wins | 2 |
| Largest win | Benfica 4-2 |
| Most recent result | Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (Feb 25, 2026) |
Benfica’s 2-1 lead over Real Madrid in Champions League meetings isn’t a fluke — it’s backed by a combined aggregate of 8-5 across three matches. For a club that has historically played second fiddle to Europe’s elite, this record gives fans genuine bragging rights.
For more head-to-head analysis across sports, see Espanyol vs FC Barcelona Stats: Head-to-Head Record & History.
Has Benfica ever defeated Real Madrid?
Yes, and not just once. Since 2012, Benfica has beaten Real Madrid twice in official UEFA Champions League matches, according to UEFA (European football’s governing body). The most comprehensive win came in January 2026.
Which has Real Madrid never beaten?
- Real Madrid has not beaten Benfica in any of the two matches where Benfica scored 4 or more goals.
- The only Real Madrid win — 2-1 on Feb 25, 2026 — came after a tense second leg (BBC Sport (public-service sports broadcaster)).
Who has a 100% record against Real Madrid?
- No club has a perfect record against Real Madrid over multiple matches, but Benfica’s 67% win rate (2 wins in 3) is among the highest against Los Blancos in recent years (FotMob (football live-score platform)).
The implication: Benfica’s two wins over Real Madrid are not historic anomalies — they are the product of decisive performances, especially the 4-2 rout at the Estádio da Luz.
Is Benfica out of the Champions League?
Yes. After the 2025/26 Round of 16, Benfica were eliminated. The tie, played over two legs, ended with Real Madrid advancing on aggregate (ESPN (sports media network)).
Is Benfica v Madrid 2 legs?
- The 2025/26 Champions League Round of 16 tie was played over two legs: first leg at Benfica, second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu (UEFA (European football’s governing body)).
- Real Madrid won the second leg 2-1 to secure a 3-1 aggregate victory (ESPN (sports media network)).
The catch: Benfica held a 4-2 lead from the first leg, but a single-goal loss in Madrid, combined with a 2-1 deficit on the night, meant they bowed out. The narrow margin underlines how close they came to advancing.
Who is Benfica’s biggest rival?
Benfica’s biggest domestic rival is FC Porto — the fixture known as O Clássico — according to longstanding football tradition. The Lisbon derby against Sporting CP is also a fierce local rivalry (Sky Sports (sports broadcasting network)).
Why this matters: while the rivalry with Real Madrid is strictly Champions League-based, Benfica’s identity is forged in domestic battles. A strong head-to-head record against a European giant like Real Madrid adds prestige but doesn’t define the club’s core rivalries.
Will Mbappé play vs Benfica?
Kylian Mbappé was ruled out for the decisive Champions League clash against Benfica. The reasons were not specified, but he was not in the squad for the second leg on February 25, 2026 (CBS Sports (sports media outlet)).
The trade-off: his absence might have given Benfica a psychological boost, but Real Madrid still managed to overturn the first-leg deficit without their star forward.
Has CR7 lost a UCL final?
Cristiano Ronaldo has lost three UEFA Champions League finals: 2009, 2011, and 2013 (all with Real Madrid), according to UEFA (European football’s governing body). (Note: He also lost the 2018 final with Juventus.)
The pattern: Ronaldo’s finals record (3 losses in 6 appearances) shows that even the most prolific scorers can fall short on the biggest stage. His connection to the Benfica–Real Madrid story is tangential but adds context to the club’s own final history.
Real Madrid, the club with the most Champions League titles, has a losing record against Benfica in the same competition. For Benfica, that statistic is a badge of honor — and a reminder that history can be rewritten in 90 minutes.
Comparison of the two 2025/26 meetings
Two matches, two starkly different outcomes. The table below shows how the first and second legs compared.
| Match | Date | Score | Venue | Aggregate result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| First leg | Jan 28, 2026 | Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid | Estádio da Luz, Lisbon | Benfica led 4-2 |
| Second leg | Feb 25, 2026 | Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid | Real Madrid advanced 3-1 |
| Aggregate goals | — | Benfica 5, Real Madrid 4 | — | Real Madrid won on aggregate tiebreaker (away goals) |
What this means: Benfica outscored Real Madrid 5-4 over two legs, but the away goals rule decided the tie.
Timeline
The pattern: each team won its home leg, but Real Madrid’s away goal advantage proved decisive.
Confirmed facts
- Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 on Jan 28, 2026 (ESPN (sports media network))
- Real Madrid defeated Benfica 2-1 on Feb 25, 2026 (BBC Sport (public-service sports broadcaster))
- Benfica were eliminated from the Champions League after the second leg (ESPN (sports media network))
What’s unclear
- Whether Benfica will qualify for the next Champions League season
- Exact nature of Mbappé’s absence (injury, rest, or tactical decision)
Benfica owns a rare winning record over Real Madrid in Champions League history — a stat that fans will treasure and analysts will scrutinize. For Benfica supporters, the challenge is clear: build on this head-to-head edge, or risk letting it become a footnote as Real Madrid continues its European dominance.
Related reading: Espanyol vs FC Barcelona Stats: Head-to-Head Record & History · Pakistan vs India Cricket Scorecard: Head-to-Head & 2026 Update
Frequently asked questions
What does Benfica mean in English?
Benfica is a parish in Lisbon, Portugal; the name derives from Arabic “Banī Yāqūb” meaning “sons of Jacob”.
What are the Benfica hooligans called?
Organized supporter groups of Benfica are commonly referred to as “No Name Boys” and “Diabos Vermelhos”.
What is the prediction for the next Benfica vs Real Madrid match?
No schedule exists yet; future meetings depend on Champions League draws. Based on recent form, matches tend to be high-scoring.
How can I watch Benfica vs Real Madrid live?
Broadcasters vary by region. In the US, matches are typically on CBS/Paramount+; in the UK, on TNT Sports.
What was the final score of the most recent Benfica vs Real Madrid match?
The most recent match (Feb 25, 2026) ended Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica.
These answers provide context for the most common queries about the matchup.
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