The road to European glory intensifies today, February 17, 2026, as the Champions League 2026 playoffs officially begin. In a high-stakes knockout round that leaves no room for error, perennial kings Real Madrid travel to Lisbon seeking redemption against Benfica, while Juventus faces a hostile test in Istanbul against Galatasaray. With the new tournament format pushing giants into vulnerable positions, fans searching for Real Madrid vs Benfica live updates and soccer scores today are in for a night of elite drama.

Real Madrid vs. Benfica: A Grudge Match in Lisbon

For Real Madrid, this isn't just a playoff; it's a mission to restore order. Just weeks ago, Benfica stunned the football world—and Los Blancos specifically—with a chaotic 4-2 victory in the final league phase match. That result, punctuated by a stoppage-time goal from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, forced the 15-time champions into this precarious knockout round after finishing ninth in the table.

Tonight at the Estádio da Luz (20:00 GMT), Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa faces a critical test of his interim tenure. The headline Kylian Mbappe Real Madrid news is positive: the French superstar is fit and expected to start. Despite missing the weekend's La Liga victory over Real Sociedad with a knee niggle, club sources confirm it was strictly precautionary. Mbappe, who has 13 goals in the competition this season, will lead the line alongside Vinicius Junior.

Team News and Key Absences

While Mbappe returns, Madrid is far from full strength. Jude Bellingham remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, and defender Eder Militao is unavailable. Compounding Arbeloa's headache, both Rodrygo and Raul Asencio are suspended following red cards received in that disastrous previous meeting with Benfica.

Benfica, managed by Jose Mourinho, enters with supreme confidence. Their Greek striker Vangelis Pavlidis has been a revelation, netting 28 goals across all competitions this season. Mourinho will look to exploit Madrid's defensive absences, knowing a solid home result is essential before the return leg at the Bernabéu.

Galatasaray vs. Juventus: Istanbul Awaits

Before the action kicks off in Portugal, all eyes will be on RAMS Park in Turkey for the early kickoff (17:45 GMT). Our Galatasaray vs Juventus prediction leans toward a tight, tactical affair, though the atmosphere will be anything but contained. Galatasaray, who finished 20th in the league phase, welcome a Juventus side that finished 13th but remains unbeaten in their last five European outings.

The spotlight falls squarely on Victor Osimhen. The Galatasaray striker has been lethal in Europe, scoring six goals in six Champions League appearances this term. His physical battle against a Juventus defense marshaled by Gleison Bremer will likely decide the tie.

Juventus travels without striker Dusan Vlahovic, meaning Jonathan David is expected to lead the attack. Young sensation Kenan Yildiz returns to his homeland looking to make a statement. Under Luciano Spalletti, the Bianconeri have prioritized defensive solidity, but holding back a Galatasaray side that has won four straight matches will require supreme discipline.

UEFA Champions League Schedule 2026: Week 1 Fixtures

This week marks the start of the knockout phase playoffs, where teams ranked 9th through 24th battle for the right to join the top eight seeds in the Round of 16. If you are looking for the full UEFA Champions League schedule 2026 for this week, here is the slate of must-watch games.

Tuesday, February 17 (Today)

  • Galatasaray vs. Juventus – 17:45 GMT / 12:45 EST
  • Benfica vs. Real Madrid – 20:00 GMT / 15:00 EST
  • Borussia Dortmund vs. Atalanta – 20:00 GMT / 15:00 EST
  • Monaco vs. Paris Saint-Germain – 20:00 GMT / 15:00 EST

Wednesday, February 18 (Tomorrow)

  • Qarabag FK vs. Newcastle United – 17:45 GMT
  • Olympiacos vs. Bayer Leverkusen – 20:00 GMT
  • Bodø/Glimt vs. Inter Milan – 20:00 GMT
  • Club Brugge vs. Atlético Madrid – 20:00 GMT

Where to Watch and What to Expect

As the UCL knockout stage highlights roll in tonight, expect narratives to shift rapidly. The new format has already delivered shock results, and the pressure on giants like Real Madrid, PSG, and Juventus to survive this playoff round is immense. A slip-up here means elimination—a disaster for clubs of their stature.

For fans following soccer scores today, the early kickoff in Istanbul offers the perfect appetizer before the heavyweight clashes in Lisbon, Dortmund, and Monaco. Whether it's Mbappe's quest for his first Madrid European crown or Mourinho's attempt to engineer another masterclass against his former club, the road to the final in Budapest truly begins now.