Real Madrid secured a slim 1–0 first-leg win over Benfica in their Champions League play-off encounter on Tuesday night. The match was largely uneventful until Vinícius Júnior struck early in the second half with a curling finish. His celebration led to a booking, adding drama to an otherwise cagey contest.

The game was briefly halted after the winger reported alleged racist abuse from the stands, forcing officials to pause play for more than ten minutes. Tension remained high, and José Mourinho was also sent off after receiving two yellow cards. The narrow win gives Madrid a slight advantage ahead of the return leg.

Defending champions Paris Saint‑Germain staged an impressive comeback to defeat Monaco 3–2. The Paris side had trailed by two goals but showed resilience and attacking quality to overturn the deficit. The victory keeps their title defence hopes alive and demonstrates their depth in crucial matches.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund delivered a solid 2–0 win against Atalanta. Dortmund controlled much of the match and took their chances well, leaving them in a strong position ahead of the second leg. Their disciplined display highlighted both defensive stability and attacking sharpness.

Overall, the night produced drama, comebacks, and controversy, setting up exciting return fixtures across Europe.