Benfica vs Real Madrid Stats: Head-to-Head Record & History
There are club rivalries that produce drama, and then there are clashes that rewrite the standings. When Benfica met Real Madrid in January 2026, the scoreline—Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid—did exactly that, knocking the Spanish giants out of the top eight in the Champions League league phase.
Last match: Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid (Jan 28, 2026) ·
Possession (Real Madrid): 67.2% ·
Shots on target (Benfica): 12 ·
Shots on target (Real Madrid): 6 ·
Red cards (Real Madrid): 2
Quick snapshot
- Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid (ESPN)
- Benfica 16 – Real Madrid 11 (UEFA)
- Benfica 32.8% – Real Madrid 67.2% (Sky Sports)
- Benfica 12 – Real Madrid 6 (Sky Sports)
Three meetings in the Champions League since 2022 have produced one clear pattern: Benfica have taken the edge where it counts.
| Statistic | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Total CL matches (all-time) | 6 (3 wins each, 0 draws) | UEFA |
| Benfica goals in CL | 16 | UEFA |
| Real Madrid goals in CL | 11 | UEFA |
| Most recent match | Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid (Jan 28, 2026) | ESPN |
| Benfica possession (last match) | 32.8% | Sky Sports |
| Real Madrid possession (last match) | 67.2% | Sky Sports |
| Benfica shots on target | 12 | Sky Sports |
| Real Madrid shots on target | 6 | Sky Sports |
| Red cards (Real Madrid) | 2 | Sky Sports |
What is the head-to-head record between Benfica and Real Madrid?
Overall wins and losses
- UEFA’s official head-to-head database (UEFA’s Champions League statistics hub) records three wins for each side in their Champions League history, with no draws.
- Total goals: Benfica have scored 16, Real Madrid have scored 11 in those meetings (UEFA).
- The most recent encounter—a 4-2 Benfica win on January 28, 2026—gave Benfica their second victory in the last three meetings since 2022 (ESPN).
The implication: Despite Madrid’s deeper trophy cabinet, Benfica have matched them goal for goal in their limited encounters over the decades.
What was the score of the last Benfica vs Real Madrid match?
Match summary and key moments
- Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid, January 28, 2026 – Champions League league phase (ESPN).
- The result secured Benfica’s playoff spot and knocked Real Madrid out of the top eight (ESPN).
- Real Madrid received two red cards during the match (Sky Sports).
Benfica’s 32.8% possession seems low, but they turned that into 12 shots on target—a conversion rate that punished Madrid’s lack of discipline (two red cards) and exposed defensive gaps.
The pattern: When Benfica have the belief, they can outscore even a dominant-possession Real Madrid side.
What are the detailed stats from the Benfica vs Real Madrid 4-2 game?
Possession and shots on goal
The detailed match statistics highlight the disparity in efficiency: Benfica made the most of limited possession.
| Metric | Benfica | Real Madrid |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 32.8% | 67.2% |
| Total shots | 22 | 16 |
| Shots on target | 12 | 6 |
| Red cards | 0 | 2 |
All figures from Sky Sports’ match statistics.
Benfica produced nearly twice as many shots on target as Madrid despite having half the possession—a classic counter‑punching clinic that turned defensive resilience into a rout.
Why this matters: For Real Madrid, the shot differential highlights a tactical breakdown; for Benfica, it’s a blueprint for beating elite possession teams.
How does the Benfica vs Real Madrid history look over time?
All-time results
- 1962 European Cup Final: Benfica 5-3 Real Madrid (UEFA highlight). The Portuguese side claimed their second consecutive European Cup by outscoring Madrid.
- January 28, 2026: Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid (leage phase) – the most recent meeting (ESPN).
- Across all Champions League meetings, each side has three wins (UEFA).
The trade-off: Madrid’s overall European pedigree is unmatched, but in this specific fixture, Benfica have proven they can win when it matters.
Timeline signal
Benfica 5-3 Real Madrid – European Cup final (UEFA)
Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid – Champions League league phase (ESPN)
Confirmed facts
- Real Madrid won 1 match, Benfica won 2 (since 2012). UEFA
- Most recent match: Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid on Jan 28, 2026. ESPN
What’s unclear
- Future match predictions are speculative – no statistical model can reliably forecast the outcome of the next encounter given the limited sample size.
- The specific timing of the two red cards for Real Madrid is not detailed in the available match reports.
What the sources say
Benfica’s 4-2 win secured their playoff spot and knocked Real Madrid out of the top eight.
ESPN match summary
UEFA’s head-to-head page records Benfica and Real Madrid as tied on three wins each in Champions League history.
UEFA’s historical statistics database
For Benfica, the 4-2 win proved they can dismantle Europe’s elite when it matters. For Real Madrid, the loss exposed defensive frailties that will need fixing to reclaim Champions League supremacy.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the head-to-head record since 2022?
Since 2022, Benfica have won 2 matches and Real Madrid 1 in Champions League meetings.
How many times have Benfica and Real Madrid played?
They have met six times in the Champions League (all-time). The most recent match was the fourth in a series that began in 1962.
What was the result of the Jan 28, 2026 match?
Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid on January 28, 2026, in the Champions League league phase.
Who scored in the Benfica 4-2 win over Real Madrid?
Specific scorers are not listed in the available match summaries from ESPN and Sky Sports; the match report details only the final score and key stats.
Which team has more wins in the Benfica vs Real Madrid rivalry?
The rivalry is perfectly balanced on wins (3 each) in Champions League history. Benfica hold the edge in total goals (16 to 11).
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