Benfica host Real Madrid in UEFA Champions League 2025/26 league-phase Round 8 with everything on the line at Estádio da Luz. Benfica sit 29th and need a win plus help elsewhere to keep qualification alive. Real Madrid arrive 3rd and can all but lock in direct last-16 qualification with three points. Add Jose Mourinho facing his former club and Kylian Mbappé chasing records, and this Lisbon night has true knockout-level intensity.
Match Preview
Benfica’s league-phase campaign started in a hole with four straight defeats, leaving them chasing the pack entering Matchday 8. Back-to-back 2-0 wins over Ajax and Napoli revived their hopes, but a 2-0 loss to Juventus set them back again. They responded domestically with a 4-0 win over Estrela Amadora and bring strong home momentum, riding a fourth consecutive home victory into this fixture.
Benfica’s squad issues remain significant. They stay without Alexander Bah, Samuel Soares, Dodi Lukebakio, Henrique Araujo, and Richard Rios (absent for a fourth straight match). January signings Sidny Lopes Cabral and Rafa Silva are ineligible, limiting late-window solutions for a must-win night.
Real Madrid sit 3rd in the 36-team table and are one win away from securing direct qualification to the last 16, even though the table remains tight with only two points separating them from 15th. Their Champions League record stands at 5-0-2 and they’ve regained momentum under new management. Mbappé arrives in exceptional form, scoring in each of his last three matches and sitting on 11 Champions League goals this season, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2015-16 record.
Madrid also carry strong history against Portuguese opposition, winning eight of their last ten UEFA meetings, including four straight away victories. They travel without Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh), Éder Militao (hamstring), Ferland Mendy (hamstring), and Antonio Rüdiger (knee), but still field elite attacking quality for a match that could define both clubs’ league-phase outcomes.
There’s also a deep historical edge to this matchup in Lisbon. Benfica famously beat Real Madrid 5-1 in their only previous meeting at Estádio da Luz and lifted the European Cup twice, including the 1961-62 final against Madrid. With Mourinho on the Benfica bench against his former club, this is loaded with narrative and stakes.
Where to watch – Global Guide
Kick-off is 21:00 CET on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at Estádio da Luz (Lisbon, Portugal). Viewers can watch on major rights-holders such as TNT Sports in the UK, Movistar in Spain, and Paramount+ in the USA (availability depends on territory). Geo-restrictions apply on streaming services.
| Country | broadcaster | Kick-off Time (Local) |
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Sky Austria, Canal+ | 21:00 |
| 🇧🇪 Belgium | DPG Media, RTL Belgium, Proximus | 21:00 |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Viaplay | 21:00 |
| 🇫🇷 France | Canal+, M6 | 21:00 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | DAZN, ZDF | 21:00 |
| 🇮🇱 Israel | The Sports Channel | 22:00 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Sky | 21:00 |
| 🇲🇩 Moldova | Setanta, Jurnal TV | 22:00 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Ziggo Sport | 21:00 |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | Canal+ | 21:00 |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Sport TV | 20:00 |
| 🇮🇪 Republic of Ireland | RTE, Saran Media | 20:00 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Telefonica, RTVE | 21:00 |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | SRG | 21:00 |
| 🇹🇷 Türkiye | TRT | 23:00 |
| 🇺🇦 Ukraine | Megogo | 22:00 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | TNT Sports, discovery+, Prime Video | 20:00 (UK) |
| 🌍 Middle East/North Africa | beIN | 23:00 |
| 🌍 Sub-Saharan Africa | SuperSport, Canal+ | 22:00 |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | TNT Sports, SBT, Max Brazil | 17:00 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | DAZN | 15:00 |
| 🌎 Central America | ESPN | 14:00 |
| 🇩🇴 Dominican Republic | Televideo | 15:00 |
| 🇭🇹 Haiti | Canal+ | 15:00 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Max, Caliente TV | 14:00 |
| 🌎 South America (excluding Brazil) | ESPN | 17:00 |
| 🇺🇸 United States of America | Paramount+, TUDN, DAZN | 15:00 (ET) / 12:00 (PT) |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Stan Sport | 06:00 (Sydney) |
| 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | Sony, TAPMAD | 01:00 |
| 🇨🇳 PR China | iQIYI | 04:00 |
| 🇭🇰 Hong Kong SAR | beIN | 04:00 |
| 🇮🇳 Indian Sub-Continent | Sony | 01:30 (India) |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | beIN | 03:00 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | WOWOW | 05:00 (Japan) |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | DAZN | 08:00 |
| 🇵🇰 Pakistan | Sony, TAPMAD | 00:00 |
| 🇵🇭 Philippines | beIN | 04:00 |
| 🇸🇬 Singapore | beIN | 04:00 |
| 🇹🇼 Taiwan/Chinese Tapei | Elta | 04:00 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | beIN | 03:00 |
How to watch anywhere with VPN
A VPN can help you access your usual streaming service when you travel, since most platforms enforce geo-blocks. Pick a reputable VPN, install it on your device, and connect to a server in the country where your subscription works (for example, the UK for TNT Sports/discovery+ access). Open your streaming app, sign in, and start watching. Most top VPNs support iOS, Android, desktop, and many Smart TV setups.
How to watch at Sportsbooks
Some sportsbooks stream football in select regions, but available information does not confirm bookmaker streaming rights for this specific UEFA Champions League fixture. If your bookmaker offers live streams, the usual steps are simple: create an account, complete verification, make a deposit (or keep a funded balance), then open the match page and tap the live “Play” icon. Availability depends on your location and the sportsbook’s rights.
Benfica need a statement win at home, Real Madrid want to finish the job and secure their route to the last 16. Kick-off is 21:00 CET, so check your local listings and set your stream early. Don’t miss this Champions League showdown in Lisbon.