Benfica are going into the head to head encounter on a high after securing a 4-2 victory over the Spanish giants at the Luz. The win snuck Benfica into the 24th and final playoff spot after a last play goal by keeper Trubin that has been watched around the globe.
Benfica will host the first leg of the playoff on February 17 before travelling to Madrid and facing Real at the Bernabeu on February 25. Benfica are hoping that lady luck will be on their side once again.
The first half was an end-to-end spectacle. Real Madrid took the lead in the 30th minute when Kylian Mbappe headed home the opener from a Raul Asencio cross. Benfica responded quickly, equalizing just six minutes later through a Andreas Schjelderup's header on a counter-attack, set up by striker Vangelis Pavlidis.
Vangelis Pavlidis converted a penalty just before the half which was won after a foul in the box from a corner kick to Otamendi, giving Benfica a 2-1 advantage at the break. Benfica had one of their strongest half of the season and was unlucky to not be up by more.
The second half continued the intensity and Schjelderup would strike again just nine minutes into the half to make the score 3-1 for the home side, capitalizing on a swift move inside and beating Courtois to the low left side. Mbappe would cut the lead to one with his second of the match just four minutes later on a clinical finish.
Late drama would then ensue as Real would finish with nine men after red cards to Asencio and Rodrygo in injury time. Benfica went into what would become the final play of the game leading 3-2 and needing one more goal to move into the final play-off spot on goal difference.
Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin would move up for the set piece and join his teammates, rising highest to head home a 98th minute cross from Fredrik Aursnes, sealing the 4-2 win and a miraculous qualification for a club that started the campaign with four straight losses.
This pulsating match showcased Benfica's resilience under manager Jose Mourinho and provided the fans some real joy for once this season. Benfica's reward for finishing 24th in the league phase is an encounter potentially against Inter Milan or..... Real Madrid once again.
Benfica announced a pivotal renewal of their television and multimedia rights deal with NOS, a landmark deal for the Portuguese giants over the next two seasons.
The extension comes as the club prepares for changes to the future of domestic broadcasting rights in Portugal. Benfica's initial major TV rights agreement with NOS dates back to December 2015 and was valued at up to €400 million over the past ten seasons.
The renewal covers the 2026-27 and 2027-28 seasons, bridging to 2028 when centralized TV rights for the Portuguese Liga are set to take effect. Benfica will receive a total of €114.2 million over the next two seasons, the largest TV rights contract in Portuguese football history.
The deal represents a massive 42.75% increase from their prior deal and will provide a massive revenue boost for the squad, Benfica home games will continue to air on their Benfica TV channel.