In one of the most shocking conclusions to a Champions League league phase in history, Real Madrid has been forced into the knockout playoffs after a chaotic 4-2 defeat to Jose Mourinho’s Benfica. The 15-time European champions, who needed only a draw to secure automatic qualification, collapsed in Lisbon on Wednesday night, culminating in a sensational 97th-minute header by Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. The result drops Los Blancos to 9th place in the UCL league phase standings 2026, shattering their hopes of a direct path to the Round of 16.
The Miracle at the Estádio da Luz
As the clock ticked deep into stoppage time, the score stood at 3-2—a result that would have seen Benfica eliminated from European competition entirely. Desperate for a two-goal margin to sneak into the playoff spots on goal difference, Mourinho signaled for his 6'6" Ukrainian goalkeeper to join the attack for a final free-kick. What followed was pure footballing theatre.
Trubin rose highest in the crowded penalty area, powering an unstoppable header past Thibaut Courtois to seal a Real Madrid vs Benfica 4-2 victory. The stadium erupted as the goalkeeper slid on his knees in celebration, a moment that will go down in Champions League folklore. "I've won and lost many matches, but I had never won one with my goalkeeper scoring in the last minute," a jubilant Mourinho admitted post-match. "It felt like the stadium was going to collapse."
Mourinho's Masterclass Against His Former Side
For Jose Mourinho, this Benfica win was more than just three points; it was a tactical triumph over the club he once managed. Despite Real Madrid boasting a star-studded lineup, Mourinho’s side showed superior grit and opportunism. The Portuguese tactician, often written off in recent years, proved he remains the "Special One" on the big stage.
Benfica’s aggression rattled the Spanish giants throughout the night. Before Trubin's heroics, the Eagles had already breached Madrid's defense three times, exposing significant vulnerabilities in Carlo Ancelotti's successor's backline. The victory not only kept Benfica’s European dreams alive, securing them the 24th and final playoff spot, but it also consigned their illustrious opponents to a precarious extra round of fixtures.
Real Madrid's Implosion: Red Cards and Wasted Goals
While Benfica celebrated, Real Madrid was left to rue a night of indiscipline and defensive collapse. The match ended in chaos for the visitors, who saw both Raul Asencio and Rodrygo sent off in stoppage time as tempers flared. The lack of composure in the dying minutes was emblematic of a disjointed performance that unraveled under pressure.
The defeat wasted a brilliant individual effort from Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman scored twice, briefly giving Madrid hope and showcasing his lethal finishing. However, Kylian Mbappe's Real Madrid goals were ultimately overshadowed by the team's collective failure. Speaking after the match, a furious Mbappe did not hold back, calling the final conceded goal a "disgrace" and questioning the team's consistency. "If you don't give 100 percent in a Champions League match, you get exposed," he told reporters, emphasizing that the champions deserved their punishment.
Playoff Peril: What Comes Next for Real Madrid?
The consequences of this defeat are severe. By finishing 9th in the UCL league phase standings 2026, Real Madrid misses out on the top-eight bye and must now navigate a treacherous two-legged playoff in February. The Champions League knockout draw, scheduled for Friday, January 30, could throw up a difficult opponent for the seeded Madrid side.
Potential rivals include dangerous unseeded teams like Borussia Dortmund or, ironically, a rematch with Benfica themselves. The extra fixtures will add strain to an already congested calendar, a scenario the club was desperate to avoid. For a team that views the Champions League trophy as their property, the path to Munich just got significantly longer and more perilous.
