Champions League playoffs: Benfica hold Real at halftime | OneFootball

Champions League: Benfica and Real cancel each other out

Champions League playoffs: Benfica hold Real at halftime

Benfica and Real Madrid are locked at 0-0 at the break this Tuesday in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs. After suffering a heavy defeat at the end of January (4-2), the Madrid side have shown much more discipline, dictating the tempo throughout a fiercely contested first half.

A dominant Real, a resilient Benfica

Mbappé set the tone right from kickoff with a dangerous effort, before Vinícius Júnior repeatedly threatened the Portuguese defense. Arda Güler also made his mark late in the half, but couldn’t break the deadlock.

Despite relentless pressure, José Mourinho’s Benfica remain compact, disciplined, and patient, relying on quick transitions that so far have lacked bite. It’s a tense first round, with everything still to play for heading into a decisive second half.