How to watch today's Real Madrid vs Benfica Champions League game: Live stream, TV channel, and start time

Real Madrid holds a 1-0 advantage over Benica after a controversial first leg in the Round of 16 playoff stages of the Champions League. 

Here is where to find English-language live streams of Real Madrid vs Benfica, as GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the game today.

	USA	Paramount+
	UK	TNT Sports
	Australia	Stan Sport
	Canada	Fubo Canada
	India	Sony Sports Network
	South / Sub-Saharan Africa	SuperSport
	Malaysia	beIN Sports Malaysia
	Middle East	beIN Sports MENA

How to watch anywhere with a VPN

If you are travelling abroad or just want to access your usual streaming services from a different part of the world, you may run into geo-restrictions. This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) comes in handy.

A VPN, such as ExpressVPN, allows you to establish a secure, encrypted connection online. By virtually changing your location to a country where the game is being broadcast, you can bypass blackout restrictions and watch your favourite team live. Click here for a step-by-step guide or, alternatively, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.

Bypass georestrictions with a VPNGet Express!

Real Madrid vs Benfica kick-off time

Champions League - Final Stage

Estadio Bernabeu

Real Madrid vs Benfica kicks off on 25 Feb 2026 at 15:00 EST and 20:00 GMT. 

Match preview

Vinicius Junior's wonderful curled effort was enough to secure a slender 1-0 win in Portugal on an ill-tempered evening remembered for all the wrong reasons. 

Vinicius accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racially abusing him shortly after the opening goal, which led to a 10-minute stoppage before the contest finally resumed. 

Getty Images

Madrid prepared for this with a surprise defeat to Osasuna, a result which leaves them second in LaLiga. If they get past Benfica here, then a two-legged tie against either Sporting Lisbon or Manchester City awaits.

Benfica boss Jose Mourinho won't be in the dugout for the visitors against his old team, after his dismissal in the first leg.

Getty Images

Injury news & key stats

Jude Bellingham, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen, and Rodrygo all missed Madrid’s surprise 2-1 defeat to Osasuna at the weekend due to injury.

Getty Images

Nuno Félix, Samuel Soares and João Veloso were absent for Benfica against AFS in their 3-0 weekend win, while Prestianni will sit this one out after UEFA handed him a one-match provisional suspension following his actions in the first leg. 14 of Madrid’s last 15 UCL home games saw both teams score.

Vangelis Pavlidis has scored 28 times in all competitions for Benfica this term.

Getty Images

Team news & squads

Real Madrid vs Benfica Probable lineups

Real Madrid

4-4-2

Formation

4-2-3-1

BEN

1

T. Courtois

22

A. Ruediger

18

A. Carreras

17

R. Asencio

12

T. Alexander-Arnold

15

A. Guler

6

E. Camavinga

8

F. Valverde

14

A. Tchouameni

7

Vinicius Junior

16

G. Garcia

1

A. Trubin

26

S. Dahl

44

T. Araujo

17

A. Dedic

30

N. Otamendi

8

F. Aursnes

5

E. Barrenechea

27

Rafa Silva

21

A. Schjelderup

18

L. Barreiro

14

V. Pavlidis

4-2-3-1

BEN

Probable lineup

• 1

  T. Courtois

• 22

  A. Ruediger

• 18

  A. Carreras

• 17

  R. Asencio

• 12

  T. Alexander-Arnold

• 15

  A. Guler

• 6

  E. Camavinga

• 8

  F. Valverde

• 14

  A. Tchouameni

• 7

  Vinicius Junior

• 16

  G. Garcia

Substitutes

Manager

• A. Arbeloa

Probable lineup

• 1

  A. Trubin

• 26

  S. Dahl

• 44

  T. Araujo

• 17

  A. Dedic

• 30

  N. Otamendi

• 8

  F. Aursnes

• 5

  E. Barrenechea

• 27

  Rafa Silva

• 21

  A. Schjelderup

• 18

  L. Barreiro

• 14

  V. Pavlidis

Substitutes

Form

Head-to-Head Record

RMA

Last 3 matches

BEN

1

Win

0

Draws

2

Wins

• Benfica

  0

  -

  1

  Real Madrid

• Benfica

  4

  -

  2

  Real Madrid

• Benfica

  5

  -

  2

  Real Madrid

5

Goals scored

9

Games over 2.5 goals

2/3

Both teams scored

2/3

Standings

Step-by-step VPN guide to watch Real Madrid vs Benfica today

NordVPN

1. Download & Install: Sign up to ExpressVPN or another reputable VPN service (check out GOAL's guide here) and download the app on your device.
2. Connect to a Server: Open the app and select a server location where the match is being shown (e.g. if you are in the UK but want to watch a US stream, connect to a US server).
3. Clear Cache: Sometimes your browser holds onto your old location. Clear your cookies or refresh your browser to ensure the change takes effect.
4. Start Streaming: Go to your broadcaster's website and app and enjoy the game.

How to watch on the Big Screen

Watching on your phone or laptop is fine, but live sports belongs on the big screen. Here is how to get the VPN working on your TV:

• Smart TVs & Fire Stick: Most Android-based TVs and devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or Google Chromecast with Google TV have native VPN apps. Simply search for your VPN provider in the app store on your TV, log in, and connect just like you would on your phone.
• Apple TV, Roku & Consoles: These devices often don't support direct VPN apps. The easiest workaround is to use Smart DNS (usually found in your VPN account settings) or Mirror/Cast the stream from your VPN-connected phone or laptop to your TV.

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