Mourinho Talks Benfica vs Real Madrid Again: We Got the King

Jose Mourinho says his side, Benfica, will face the kings of the Champions League after earning the chance to replay against Real Madrid in the knockout phase playoff.

The Portuguese team defeated the 15-time European champions in the middle of last week with a score of 4-2 at the Estadio da Luz.

Goalkeeper Antoliy Trubin scored a stunning header in the 98th minute to send Benfica through to the playoffs in last place, 24.

Despite being 3-2 ahead before the goal, Mourinho's team will be eliminated due to the goal difference. Fortunately, Trubin's action allowed them to continue their journey in the Champions League.

For Real Madrid, the defeat was clearly a surprise. In addition, they were thrown out of the top eight of the standings and failed to qualify automatically for the round of 16.

Real Madrid dropped from third to ninth in the league phase standings, forcing them into the knockout phase playoffs.

However, Los Blancos will meet Benfica again to compete for one ticket to the last 16 with a two-leg match.

"We only have two possibilities, Real Madrid or Inter Madrid. In the end, we got the king. A few days ago, when a Real Madrid player offered me his jersey after the game, I joked about showing my teammates the symbol they wear on their arms. There are 15 (titles)."

"They are kings. In every sense. This is not just history. We will play against, of course, the biggest competitors to win this tournament."

"However, we have three games before that, Tondela, Santa Clara, and Alverca, and that's what we have to focus on," Mourinho said of his meeting with Real Madrid again.

Apart from that, Benfica is currently in third place in the Portuguese League (Primeira Liga), 10 points behind leader Porto.

They will host Real Madrid in the first leg on February 17, 2026 before traveling for the second leg eight days later.