Real Madrid secured a crucial victory in Lisbon against Benfica with a 0-1 score, firmly putting them on track for the Champions League round of 16. The 'Royal' club now holds the advantage for the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, while Benfica appeared less dynamic than in their previous encounter on January 28th. 'Los Blancos' were superior, featuring a magnificent goal from Vinícius and a resolute defense that left few opportunities for the Benfica side. In the first fifteen minutes, the match was evenly contested, with Real Madrid trying to control the ball against a Benfica side that activated their attacks with limited resources, using effective triangular plays down the flanks, where Valverde and Camavinga worked hard to stop the incursions of Andreas Schjelderup and young Argentine Prestianni. In the 13th minute, Prestianni, who debuted for his national team last November, had a chance in the penalty area following a run from Schjelderup, but he failed to connect with his 'weaker' left foot. The Madrid reply came in the 17th minute with a powerful long-range strike from Guler, which Trubin saved comfortably. Around the 19th minute, Valverde played a long ball to Tchouaméni, who broke the Benfica defensive line on the right flank to assist Vinícius, whose cross-shot narrowly missed the far post. With the match continuing in an alternating pattern, in the 23rd minute, Courtois made a brilliant save from a low, hard-to-block shot by the experienced Norwegian midfielder Aursnes, forcing the Belgian keeper to make an almost impossible save as the 'Eagles' fans were already celebrating a goal. Towards the end of the first half, Benfica forced an extra defensive effort from a very deep-lying Real Madrid. After regaining possession, the Madrid side struggled to launch counter-attacks with the speed of Vinícius or Mbappé. In the first minute of stoppage time, Guler shot from the right, and Trubin made a 'miraculous' save to deny a cross-shot from the Turk that would have found the back of the net. At halftime, the score was 0-0, with Madrid feeling more comfortable in the final minutes. In the second half, Madrid continued with the same approach. In the 49th minute, Vinícius showcased his signature style: he beat the defender, cut into the box, and scored with a cross-shot that was impossible for Trubin to save, putting the score at 0-1. After the goal, in the 51st minute, the referee stopped the match at Vinícius's request to apply the anti-racism protocol. The Brazilian reported that Prestianni had insulted him racially while covering his mouth with his shirt. The match resumed seven minutes later, though the French referee had a lengthy discussion with the Benfica winger beforehand. Madrid remained comfortable as Benfica tried to shake off the pressure. In the 69th minute, Vinícius again had a good chance with a long-range shot that Trubin saved. In the 71st minute, another counter-attack took Vinícius to the edge of the box, and his low shot was cleared by the Benfica goalkeeper. Tchouaméni had a special performance throughout the match, cutting off numerous dangerous attacks from the Portuguese side. Mourinho's first changes came in the 73rd minute, introducing Ukrainian Sudakov and Colombian Richard Ríos for Schjelderup and Rafa Silva. In the 84th minute, Mourinho was sent off for angrily demanding a second yellow card for Vinícius, meaning the Portuguese coach will not be able to sit on the bench for the return leg at the Bernabéu. Two minutes later, Arbeloa brought on Brahim for Guler, and in the 94th minute, young Pitarch made his Champions League debut, coming on for Camavinga. Also, Dani Carvajal, the 'last survivor' of the 'Tenth' Champions League title won in 2014 at the Estádio da Luz, entered the field, replacing Álvaro Carreras. After 102 minutes, the first leg concluded with a narrow 0-1 victory for Real Madrid.
