Drama at the Estádio da Luz! On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the Champions League play-off between Benfica and Real Madrid ended in peak José Mourinho fashion.
While Real Madrid secured a vital 1–0 away win, the headlines belong to "The Special One," who was sent to the stands in the dying minutes.
Mourinho will now be suspended for the return leg, meaning he will miss his highly anticipated homecoming at the Santiago Bernabéu next week.
The Match Breakdown: A Night of Fury
52’ - Vini Jr. Breaks the Deadlock ⚽: After a cagey first half, Vinícius Júnior silenced the Lisbon crowd with a clinical finish. His celebratory dance in front of the home fans ignited a fuse that would burn for the rest of the night.
The "10-Minute" Chaos ⏱️: Play was suspended for nearly 10 minutes following the goal as tensions boiled over. Objects were thrown onto the pitch, and Vini Jr.
reportedly reported an incident to the referee, leading to a long delay and a surreal atmosphere.
86’ - THE RED CARD 🟥: The boiling point arrived late. Mourinho was incensed after the referee refused to penalize Vinícius Júnior for a challenge on Richard Ríos.
After a heated exchange with the fourth official and a subsequent yellow card, Mourinho refused to back down, prompting referee François Letexier to brandish a second yellow and a red.
Courtois the Hero 🧤: Despite the chaos and 12 minutes of added time, Real Madrid held firm. Thibaut Courtois produced a world-class save on the final whistle to ensure Madrid takes a lead back to Spain.
The Bernabéu Ban: Mourinho's red card means he is prohibited from the touchline and the dressing room for the second leg. He will have to watch from the VIP box as his side tries to overturn the deficit in Madrid.
The Verdict: This was Mourinho at his most volatile and Madrid at their most resilient. The 1–0 lead gives Álvaro Arbeloa the upper hand, but the absence of Mourinho on the touchline for the return leg might actually be the biggest blow to Benfica’s hopes of an upset.