Dramatic upset sends defending champions to qualifying round
Jose Mourinho’s Benfica delivered a stunning 4-2 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday night, knocking the defending European champions out of the Champions League’s automatic qualification spots and condemning them to the playoff round.
Real Madrid, which started the match in third place in the 36-team league phase standings, fell to ninth after the defeat in Lisbon—just one position below the cutoff for direct advancement to the round of 16. Paris Saint-Germain also tumbled to 11th place after drawing 1-1 with Newcastle, joining Madrid in the playoff bracket alongside Inter Milan and Newcastle.
Goalkeeper’s Stoppage-Time Header Decides It
The match featured extraordinary circumstances that will be debated across European football for weeks. Benfica advanced to 24th place—the final qualifying spot—on goal difference thanks to a dramatic intervention from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, who scored with a header in the eighth minute of stoppage time. The heroic moment came after Real Madrid had been reduced to nine players following two red card dismissals.
Kylian Mbappe netted twice for Madrid in a losing effort, but it proved insufficient against a Benfica side playing with nothing to lose. The Portuguese club showed impressive cohesion throughout, with their attacking prowess complemented by the squad depth that has characterized their campaign, which has included emerging talent like Andreas Schjelderup contributing to their overall competitive strength.
Mourinho’s Return
The result marked a poignant moment for Mourinho, who coached Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013 and led them to LaLiga and cup titles. His Benfica side delivered a masterclass in clinical finishing and tactical discipline against one of Europe’s most storied clubs.
Real Madrid’s collapse came as Sporting Lisbon secured a stoppage-time winner against Athletic Bilbao to sneak into the top eight alongside Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Manchester City. Arsenal and Bayern Munich had already secured automatic qualification.
Playoff Draw Friday
Madrid, PSG, Newcastle, and Inter Milan will compete in Friday’s playoff draw for spots in the round of 16, facing teams that finished between ninth and 24th place.
