Champions League live updates: Benfica host Real Madrid, Monaco host PSG

Lisbon and Monte Carlo provided the backdrops for the first legs of the UEFA Champions League knockout-phase playoffs on Tuesday, a night that ended with the competition’s reigning holders and Spanish giants both seizing precious away victories.

At Estádio da Luz, José Mourinho’s Benfica welcomed Álvaro Arbeloa’s Real Madrid in a swift rematch of their dramatic league-phase finale. Despite a raucous home support urging another Portuguese ambush, it was Madrid’s Vinícius Júnior who struck the decisive blow, his second-half goal earning the visitors a 1-0 win and a slender but priceless advantage before the return leg.

Across the border in the Principality, AS Monaco entertained defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in an all-Francophone affair that delivered five goals and a momentum swing worthy of the competition’s history books. Folarin Balogun’s first-half double had the Stade Louis II rocking as Monaco led 2-0, yet PSG showcased the resilience that carried them to last season’s crown. The Parisians clawed their way back to claim a 3-2 victory, turning the tie on its head and taking three away goals back to the French capital.

Germany also hosted playoff drama, where Borussia Dortmund welcomed Atalanta. A disciplined display yielded a 2-0 win for the Bundesliga side, leaving the Italians with work to do when the sides reconvene.

With the first legs complete, the focus now shifts to the return matches that will decide which three clubs complete the round of 16 lineup.