Champions League Knockout Night: Real Madrid vs Benfica Headlines Epic Fixtures
Published Date: 17th Feb, 2026
February 17, 2026
The UEFA Champions League round of 16 first legs continue tonight with four massive matches, led by Real Madrid hosting Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid. Kick-off for the marquee tie is 9:00 PM CET (3:00 PM ET), with the other three games starting at 8:00 PM and 9:00 PM CET.
Real Madrid, the record 15-time champions, come into the match as overwhelming favorites after dominating their group stage and winning 13 of their last 15 competitive fixtures. Carlo Ancelotti's side will rely on the lethal attacking trio of Vinícius Júnior, Kylian Mbappé, and Jude Bellingham, who have combined for 31 goals in Europe this season. The Bernabéu is sold out, promising an electric atmosphere against a Benfica team eager to cause an upset.
Benfica, managed by Roger Schmidt, finished runners-up in their group behind Manchester City and arrive with strong recent form in the Primeira Liga. The Eagles will count on veteran Ángel Di María's creativity, João Mário's midfield control, and the pace of Rafa Silva and Arthur Cabral to challenge Real Madrid's backline.
Tonight's Full Fixture Lineup (CET)
- 8:00 PM Bayer Leverkusen vs Paris Saint-Germain (BayArena, Leverkusen) Xabi Alonso's unbeaten Bundesliga leaders face Luis Enrique's PSG in what could be one of the highest-scoring ties of the round.
- 8:00 PM Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid (Jan Breydel Stadium, Brugge) The Belgian champions host Diego Simeone's defensively disciplined Atlético in a clash of contrasting styles.
- 9:00 PM Real Madrid vs Benfica (Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid) The highlight of the evening: 15-time champions against a Benfica side looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in nearly a decade.
- 9:00 PM Sporting CP vs Borussia Dortmund (Estádio José Alvalade, Lisbon) Portuguese champions Sporting take on Dortmund in a rematch of their exciting group-stage encounter.
Key Battles and Storylines
- Real Madrid vs Benfica: Can Benfica contain Mbappé and Vinícius, or will Real Madrid's firepower overwhelm the Portuguese defense?
- Leverkusen vs PSG: Will Leverkusen's high-pressing style disrupt PSG's star-studded attack, or can Luis Enrique's side exploit transitions?
- Brugge vs Atlético: Can Brugge's home advantage and pressing overcome Atlético's renowned defensive organization?
- Sporting vs Dortmund: Will Sporting's attacking flair at home give them the edge against Dortmund's counter-attacking threat?
All matches are live on UEFA.tv, Paramount+ (U.S.), TNT Sports (UK), and regional broadcasters. Second legs are scheduled for the week of March 4–5, with the quarter-final draw to follow immediately after.
With star power on display, tactical battles expected, and places in the last eight at stake, tonight promises to be one of the most anticipated midweek nights in European football this season. Football fans around the world are gearing up for what could be a memorable evening of Champions League action.
Date: 17th Feb, 2026
