Real Madrid gained insights from their Champions League defeat to Benfica.

LISBON — Three weeks after suffering a 4-2 defeat that will be remembered at Benfica, Real Madrid returned to the Estadio da Luz. However, this match was different in terms of atmosphere and result.

This time, there was no dramatic last-minute header from a goalkeeper, nor were there any tears of joy from Benfica manager José Mourinho. Madrid secured a well-deserved 1-0 advantage to take back to the Bernabéu for the second leg of the playoff next week.

Upon their return to Lisbon, the visiting team appeared transformed. “We witnessed a completely different Real Madrid,” coach Álvaro Arbeloa remarked afterward. Their performance displayed less disorder and more composure.

Madrid took valuable lessons from the humbling loss that had seen them drop out of the Champions League’s top eight and into these knockout round playoffs, arriving well-prepared.

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Nonetheless, this was a night filled with significant highs and lows. Nothing illustrated this more than Vinícius Júnior’s remarkable goal in the 50th minute and the subsequent 10-minute stoppage, during which Vinícius accused Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni of racial abuse, prompting the referee to activate UEFA’s anti-racism protocol.

The incident cast a shadow over the remainder of the match and the postgame dialogue. “This cannot occur,” Aurélien Tchouaméni stated. Kylian Mbappé remarked that Prestianni “should not be allowed to play in the Champions League again.” Arbeloa indicated that the team would have supported Vinícius in leaving the pitch and abandoning the match had he requested it.

This time, Mourinho did not conclude the evening embracing a ballboy in celebration. Instead, he found himself in the stands, displeased, having received a red card for contesting a referee’s decision late in the second half. Following the match, he criticized Vinícius’ goal celebration. He had been commended for his team’s performance on January 28, when he orchestrated a victory that ruthlessly exposed Madrid’s vulnerabilities in defense and midfield. Now it was Álvaro Arbeloa’s moment to shine.

The disciple of Mourinho learned from that encounter and arranged his team accordingly. Madrid adopted a compact 4-4-2 formation, with Eduardo Camavinga assigned to shield fullback Álvaro Carreras on the left and Federico Valverde providing similar support for Trent Alexander-Arnold on the right. If there was a sense in January that Madrid had significantly underestimated Benfica, that was not the case here.

Before the match, Benfica made every effort to instill a belief that history could repeat itself. As the stadium lights dimmed moments before kickoff, a video displayed on the large screens began with Anatoliy Trubin’s 98th-minute header from three weeks prior, along with images of Mourinho’s tears.

A massive banner featuring an eagle, the club’s emblem, was unveiled along one side of the pitch, displaying just three words: “Until the end.” Trubin’s goal in the eighth minute of added time had secured Benfica’s place in the knockout rounds. They would require much more of that spirit to overcome Madrid, the reigning champions of Europe, over two playoff legs.

The home team began positively, and the crowd was enthusiastic and loud. However, as the first half progressed, Madrid’s control increased. There were opportunities for Vinícius, Mbappé, and Arda Güler, although the standout moment of the first half was Thibaut Courtois’ full-stretch save from Fredrik Aursnes.

At halftime, the momentum suggested that a Madrid goal was imminent. When it arrived, the only surprise was the sheer quality of the goal, as Vinícius cut in from the left wing and curled a shot over Trubin into the top corner.

Vinícius celebrated by dancing near the corner flag. The Brazilian has faced a challenging season, with inconsistent form and stalled contract negotiations. He has now scored in three consecutive matches this month, demonstrating in crucial moments — both here and in his similarly spectacular goal in the Supercopa de España against Barcelona — that he remains one of the most impactful players in the world.

Following that goal, the game effectively came to a halt. Not just for 10 minutes, but almost entirely. The match never regained its previous rhythm, and much of the focus was, understandably and justifiably, on the incident involving Vinícius.

“Until the goal, it was an excellent match,” Mourinho stated afterward. “After that, the game was over.” The former Madrid coach’s red card means he will not be on the bench at the Bernabéu next week.

Madrid will enter that match as favorites to advance to the last 16, their sense of superiority more pronounced than Tuesday’s 1-0 scoreline might imply. What Benfica achieved last month proved to be unrepeatable.