What Happened
Real Madrid and Benfica are set to clash in the second leg of their Champions League knockout playoff at the Santiago Bernabéu on Wednesday. Madrid holds a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg in Portugal, where Vinicius Jr’s goal was marred by racial abuse allegations against Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who will not participate in the match. Additionally, Benfica’s manager, Jose Mourinho, will be watching from the stands after receiving a red card in the first leg.
Why It Matters
This match is crucial for both teams, as the winner will advance to the Round of 16, facing either Manchester City or Sporting CP, while the loser will be eliminated from European competition. Real Madrid will be without star player Kylian Mbappe due to a knee injury, which adds pressure on the team to secure a result.
What’s Next
As the match unfolds, fans can follow live updates and commentary from The Sporting News. The starting lineups have been confirmed, with Gonzalo García stepping in for Mbappe and Alexander-Arnold returning to the starting XI for Real Madrid. The outcome of this match will determine the future of both clubs in the Champions League.
