Benfica Force Real Madrid to Champions League Playoff

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin celebrates the last-minute goal that gave Benfica a 4-2 win over Real Madrid. (X/@SLBenfica)

JAKARTA - Real Madrid lost the opportunity to qualify automatically for the 16-team Champions League after losing 4-2 against Benfica in the last match of the qualifying phase at the da Luz Stadium, Lisbon, Thursday, January 29, 2026 WIB.

Madrid again played the playoff round in the European competition. In the final match when visiting the opponent's home, Madrid actually only needed a draw to ensure qualification without the need for a playoff.

Even Madrid took the lead through Kylian Mbappe. Only Benfica refused to give up. Moreover, this Portuguese club is handled by Jose Mourinho who once designed Madrid. Although he had a goal exchange, Los Merengues finally had to admit the home team's advantage and close the match with the loss of two players. The reason is that Raul Asencio and Rodrygo got a red card when the match entered injury time.

This bad result makes Madrid lose for the second time under the guidance of new coach Alvaro Arbeloa. While the first defeat suffered by Madrid resulted in their elimination in the Copa del Rey. Ironically, Arbeloa's team was defeated by the team from the second division Albacete.

The defeat in the last Champions League match has an effect on Madrid having to be thrown out of the top eight. They only ranked ninth or one strip below the team that is in the automatic qualifying zone with 15 points.

Madrid along with European elite teams such as Inter Milan, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atletico Madrid and defending champions Paris Saint-Germain have to play a playoff to get a ticket to the knockout round.

On the other hand, Benfica, who had fallen to the bottom of the table, finally got a ticket to the 16th round through the playoff route. Benfica himself ranked 24th or the lowest position of the teams that entered the playoff zone.

Mourinho was satisfied to beat a team as classy as Madrid. Even though the team had to work hard, their efforts were not in vain because they managed to qualify for the next round.

"In this match, if we don't qualify, but we want to win. If we win, it shows how the players behave in the match. I'm happy to beat Real Madrid even though it still makes us eliminated," Mourinho said as quoted by the UEFA website.

"I have experienced defeat and victory in the last minute. I have experienced this several times. But in this match we won. However, this is still not enough. You have to change and dare to take risks. The reason is that the match can end in a draw 3-3 and you will definitely be eliminated," said the coach who brought Inter Milan to the treble.

Meanwhile, Mbappe admitted he was disappointed with the defeat. According to him, Benfica played better and deserved to win.

"Benfica played better and deserved to win. We lost consistency. We have to improve ourselves," said Mbappe who scored a brace in the match.

The match itself was fierce and tight. Both teams wanted to win. Benfica got a penalty but it was later canceled after the referee reviewed it via VAR.

Madrid finally took the lead when Mbappe, who ran to meet Asencio's cross, managed to head the ball into the home team's goal. The goal that changed the score to 1-0 for Madrid was created in the 30th minute.

However, Madrid's advantage did not last long. Only six minutes later, a header from midfielder Andreas Schjelderup managed to equalize the score after completing an assist from striker Vangelis Pavlidis.

Furthermore, Benfica turned ahead when the match entered the first half injury time. Starting from a foul committed by Aurelien Tchouameni against Nicolas Otamendi in the penalty box which made the referee point to the white spot. The penalty was completed by Pavlidis who changed the score to 2-1. The score remained until the first half ended.

Entering the second half, Madrid tried to increase the pressure. But Benfica, who appeared with strong confidence, was able to match Madrid's game. In fact, Schjelderup managed to consolidate the home team's advantage after returning to finish a cross pass from Pavlidis in the 54th minute.

The match was getting more interesting because Madrid didn't stay silent. With an offensive game, they didn't take long to narrow the gap. Only four minutes later, Mbappe scored his second goal which changed the score to 3-2.

In that position, the match was getting more tense. Benfica tried to secure that advantage to get a playoff ticket. However, they had to strengthen their defense because they faced Madrid's back-to-back attacks.

Benfica finally began to breathe a sigh of relief after Madrid lost a player. Asencio received a second yellow card followed by a red card in the 90+2 minute. Then it was Rodrygo's turn to receive a second yellow card and end with a red card. The incident occurred in the 90+7 minute.

Only a minute later, Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin made a surprise by breaking Thibaut Courtois's goal. His header that gave Benfica a 4-2 lead was immediately greeted with euphoria by the players and Mourinho. The fans also cheered the goalkeeper's goal. The score remained until the end of the match.