The UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs delivered drama, controversy and goals across Europe on a thrilling first-leg night, with headline moments in Lisbon, Monaco, Istanbul and Dortmund.
Vinícius Created Magic as Real Edge Benfica
A moment of individual brilliance from Vinícius Júnior handed Real Madrid a crucial 1–0 away win over Benfica.
The Brazil forward struck the decisive goal in the 50th minute, curling a magnificent effort beyond goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin at the Estádio da Luz.
Vinícius was subsequently booked for excessive celebration and, after a heated exchange with Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni, he ran to referee François Letexier, gesturing towards the Argentine.
Moments later, Vinícius led his teammates off the pitch as the referee activated the racism protocol.
Play resumed after 10 minutes, but the tension lingered.
There were 12 minutes of stoppage time, during which an object thrown from the crowd struck Vinícius on the arm as he prepared to take a corner.
Earlier, Vinícius had gone close after a defence-splitting pass from Trent Alexander-Arnold to Federico Valverde, while Thibaut Courtois denied Fredrik Aursnes at the other end.
Kylian Mbappé was also denied before the break as Real dominated large spells of the contest.
Benfica head coach José Mourinho was shown two yellow cards late on and will miss the return leg at the Santiago Bernabéu next Wednesday, 25 February (20:00 GMT).
Doué Double Helps PSG Comeback Against Monaco
Substitute Désiré Doué inspired holders Paris Saint-Germain to a remarkable comeback as they overturned a two-goal deficit to beat AS Monaco in their first-ever Champions League meeting.
Monaco stunned PSG inside 60 seconds, with Folarin Balogun heading home Aleksandr Golovin’s cross. Balogun doubled the lead in the 18th minute, racing clear to slot past Matvey Safonov.
PSG were handed a lifeline when Wout Faes fouled Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the box, but Vitinha missed from the spot, denied by Philipp Köhn.
Introduced for Ousmane Dembélé, Doué pulled one back in the 29th minute before playing a key role in Achraf Hakimi’s equaliser just before half-time.
Monaco’s problems deepened when Golovin was sent off seconds after the restart, and PSG capitalised. Doué struck again in the 67th minute from a Warren Zaïre-Emery assist to seal a famous turnaround.
The return leg is in Paris on 25 February (20:00 GMT).
Galatasaray Run Riot Against Juventus
Galatasaray produced a blistering second-half display to come from behind and hammer Juventus, taking a commanding three-goal advantage into the return leg.
The hosts trailed 2–1 at half-time despite an opener from Gabriel Sara, as Teun Koopmeiners struck twice for Juventus.
Galatasaray turned the tie on its head after the break. Noa Lang and Davinson Sánchez put the Turkish champions ahead by the hour mark.
Juventus’ night unravelled further when substitute Juan Cabal was sent off, leaving the visitors a man down.
Lang added his second, before Sacha Boey struck late to put Okan Buruk’s side firmly in control.
The return leg in Turin is on 25 February (20:00 GMT).
Dortmund Take 1st-Leg Advantage vs Atalanta
Borussia Dortmund shrugged off a 15-minute kick-off delay to secure a comfortable home win over Atalanta.
Striker Serhou Guirassy struck inside three minutes, heading home Julian Ryerson’s cross. Guirassy then turned provider, setting up Maximilian Beier for the second just before half-time.
Despite enjoying more possession after the break, Atalanta were unable to seriously test Gregor Kobel.
The second leg in Bergamo takes place on Wednesday, 25 February (17:30 GMT).
UEFA Champions League Playoffs
Wednesday Fixtures
18:45 Qarabag FK vs Newcastle
21:00 Olympiacos vs Bayer Leverkusen
21:00 Bodø/Glimt vs Inter Milan
21:00 Club Brugge vs Atlético Madrid
