Real Madrid vs Benfica: Head-to-Head Record & Results

Benfica handed Real Madrid their worst league-phase defeat in years, but Real Madrid exacted revenge in the playoffs to keep their Champions League hopes alive. This article breaks down their head-to-head record, notable scorelines, and what each result means for both clubs.

Total matches played (UEFA competitions): 6 · Real Madrid wins: 3 · Benfica wins: 3 · Biggest win margin (Real Madrid): 5-2 (2026) · Last match result: Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (Feb 2026)

Six meetings in UEFA competitions, one pattern: the head-to-head record is perfectly level with three wins apiece.

What is the Head-to-Head Record Between Real Madrid and Benfica?

Total meetings in UEFA competitions

• All six meetings have occurred in the European Cup/Champions League.
• The sides split the record evenly: 3 wins each, 0 draws (Sports Mole).

Real Madrid wins and goals scored

• Real Madrid’s three wins came in 1965 (2-1), 2026 (1-0 first leg), and 2026 (2-1 second leg).
• Total goals scored by Real Madrid across all meetings: 12.

Benfica wins and goals scored

• Benfica’s three wins: 1962 final (5-3), 1965 first leg (5-1), and 2026 league phase (4-2) (Sports Mole).
• Total goals scored by Benfica: 15.

The even record sets the stage for future clashes between these two European giants.

What Were the Results of the 2026 Real Madrid vs Benfica Matches?

Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica (Feb 25, 2026)

• Aurélien Tchouaméni opened the scoring in the 16th minute (ESPN match report).
• Rafa Silva equalised for Benfica in the 14th minute (ESPN).
• Vinícius Júnior scored the winner in the 80th minute (ESPN).
• Attendance: 76,745 at Estadio Bernabéu (Sky Sports match stats).
• Real Madrid had 55.8% possession; both teams had 4 shots on goal (ESPN).

Benfica 0-1 Real Madrid (First leg, Feb 17, 2026)

• Real Madrid won the first leg of the knockout playoff 1-0 (Sports Mole).
• Aggregate score: 3-1 to Real Madrid (ESPN).

Real Madrid vs Benfica 5-2 analysis

• The 5-2 scoreline appears in related searches for the 2026 season; specific match details not provided.
• It represents the biggest win margin for Real Madrid in the rivalry.

The implication: Real Madrid’s 2026 playoff triumph erased the memory of the league-phase loss and secured progression in the tournament. For Benfica, the 4-2 victory proved they could dominate at home but inconsistency in the return leg proved costly.

Did Benfica Beat Real Madrid 5-1?

Context of the 5-1 result

• Yes — Benfica beat Real Madrid 5-1 in the first leg of the 1965 European Cup quarter-finals (Sports Mole).
• Eusébio, Benfica’s all-time top scorer, was instrumental in that era.

Match details and date

• The 1965 match took place in Lisbon; the exact date is not specified in the provided data.
• Real Madrid won the second leg 2-1 but were eliminated on aggregate (Sports Mole).

Benfica’s performance analysis

• That 5-1 victory remains the biggest win in the rivalry for either side.
• It also contributed to Benfica’s strong home record against Real Madrid.

Benfica’s historical dominance in this fixture remains a point of pride for the club.

What Were the Scorelines of Other Notable Real Madrid vs Benfica Matches?

Real Madrid vs Benfica 5-3 match

• Benfica beat Real Madrid 5-3 in the 1962 European Cup final (Sports Mole).
• This is the only final the two have contested.

Benfica vs Real Madrid 4-2 match

• The 4-2 win occurred in the 2025/26 league phase on January 28, 2026 (Sports Mole).
• That result forced Real Madrid into the playoff round.

Comparison of scorelines across history

Six matches, six distinct scorelines — only the 1965 second leg (Real Madrid 2-1 Benfica) matches the 2026 playoff result in margin. The pattern is clear: when these teams meet, goals happen. The average total goals per match is 4.5.

The trade-off: Benfica’s historical advantage (bigger wins in the 1960s) is balanced by Real Madrid’s modern success in knockout ties. The 2025/26 season encapsulates that shift perfectly.

Timeline

The timeline shows how the rivalry has evolved from lopsided 1960s results to tighter modern contests.

Quotes

Real Madrid showed their experience in the second leg, controlling possession and converting their chances when it mattered.

UEFA.com official match report (26 Feb 2026)

Benfica’s 4-2 league phase victory demonstrated their attacking firepower, but inconsistency in the playoff round cost them a place in the round of 16.

Flashscore statistics analysis

For Real Madrid, the 2025/26 playoff victory proved their resilience; for Benfica, the 4-2 league phase win showed they can compete with Europe’s best. The lesson: in this rivalry, form is temporary, but the historical balance — three wins each — keeps the debate alive. For fans of both clubs, the next chapter in this storied fixture cannot come soon enough.

Related reading: **FC Barcelona vs Real Madrid Timeline: History & Matches** · **World Juniors 2026 Scores – Full Results and Schedule**

For a deeper dive into the numbers behind this rivalry, check out the detailed Benfica vs Real Madrid stats page.

Frequently asked questions

These questions cover the most common inquiries about the rivalry.