MADRID (AP) — Real Madrid was without Kylian Mbappé for Wednesday's match against Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League playoffs.
Mbappé was not included in the squad for the game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium because of a left knee injury he has been nursing for some time.
The France star, who scored nine goals in his last eight matches for Madrid, was replaced in attack by Gonzalo García. The other forwards in the starting lineup were Arda Guler and Vinícius Júnior.
Madrid’s forwards on the bench included included Franco Mastantuono and Brahim Díaz.
Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham also won't be available because of injuries. In defense, Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa was without Dean Huijsen.
Madrid won the first leg 1-0 last week in Benfica and only needs a draw to advance to the round of 16.
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Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, right, tries a shot next to Osasuna's goalkeeper Sergio Herrera during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Osasuna and Real Madrid in Pamplona, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, right, tries a shot next to Osasuna's goalkeeper Sergio Herrera during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Osasuna and Real Madrid in Pamplona, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe during a Spanish La Liga soccer match between Osasuna and Real Madrid in Pamplona, Spain, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Miguel Oses)
Atalanta converted a penalty with the last kick of the game in the eighth minute of stoppage time following a video review to beat Borussia Dortmund 4-1 and secure a place in the round of 16 in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Lazar Samardzic’s spot kick clinched a dramatic 4-3 win on aggregate for Atalanta, ensuring there will still be Italian representation in Europe’s top club competition.
Extra time was looming when a mistake by Dortmund goalkeeper Gregor Kobel allowed Atalanta to launch one last attack, after the allotted three minutes of stoppage time had been played. A cross into the area was about to reach the head of Nikola Krstovic when Dortmund defender Remy Bensabaini flicked out his boot and caught the Atalanta substitute on the head, drawing blood.
A corner was initially given but after a VAR check, a penalty was awarded, Bensabaini was shown a second yellow card, and Samardzic sent his penalty into the top corner, sparking joyous scenes inside the stadium in Bergamo.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Atalanta replied through Gianluca Scamacca and Davide Zappacosta in the first half, before Mario Pašalić headed in the third in the 57th minute to put the hosts ahead on aggregate.
Karim Adeyemi came off the bench to make it 3-3 on aggregate but there was time for late drama.
Italy’s record of having at least one team in the round of 16 since that stage was reintroduced to the Champions League in 2003-04 was under threat after Serie A champion Napoli didn’t even make the playoffs after finishing in 30th place in the 36-team league phase and Inter Milan was eliminated by tiny Norwegian team Bodø/Glimt in the playoffs on Tuesday.
That left Atalanta and Juventus, which trails Galatasaray 5-2 heading into a home second leg later Wednesday.
Atalanta is back in the last 16 for the first time since the 2020-21 season and will play either Arsenal or Bayern Munich. The draw is on Friday.
Later, Vinícius Júnior and Real Madrid are set for what's likely to be an emotionally charged return match with Benfica.
Madrid holds a 1-0 lead over Benfica from last week's first leg, which was overshadowed by Vinícius' allegation that opponent Gianluca Prestianni called him “monkey” after the Brazil forward scored and celebrated by the home corner flag.
Prestianni has denied racially insulting Vinícius while confronting him with his jersey over his mouth, but will not play Wednesday’s game at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium after being provisionally banned for one match by UEFA.
Madrid is looking to maintain its record of playing in the round of 16 every year this century.
Defending champion Paris Saint-Germain leads Monaco 3-2 in an all-French matchup, having fought back from being 2-0 down inside 20 minutes of the first leg.
Bodø/Glimt, Atletico Madrid, Newcastle and Bayer Leverkusen all advanced on Tuesday.
Steve Douglas is at https://twitter.com/sdouglas80
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Atalanta's Mario Pasalic celebrates after scoring their third goal during the Champions League second leg playoff match between Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund in Bergamo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)
Atalanta's Mario Pasalic celebrates after scoring their third goal during the Champions League second leg playoff match between Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund in Bergamo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)
Atalanta's Davide Zappacosta (77) celebrates after scoring their second goal during the Champions League second leg playoff match between Atalanta and Borussia Dortmund in Bergamo, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2026. (Spada/LaPresse via AP)
PSG's Goncalo Ramos, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring his side's third goal during the French League One soccer match between Paris Saint-Germain and Metz in Paris, France, Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026. (AP Photo/Emma Da Silva)
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior argues with Benfica's head coach José Mourinho after scoring the opening goal during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Rocha)
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior argues with referee François Letexier after scoring the opening goal during a Champions League playoff soccer match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid in Lisbon, Portugal, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Pedro Rocha)
