In a breathtaking Champions League encounter that will be remembered for years, Benfica produced a stunning 4-2 victory over Real Madrid in Lisbon, turning the Spanish giants' European campaign on its head with a performance filled with goals, red cards, and late drama.
Mbappé's Brilliance Overshadowed by Defensive Collapse
Real Madrid started the match strongly and were rewarded early when Kylian Mbappé calmly finished to give the visitors the lead. The French superstar was Madrid's most dangerous threat throughout the game and doubled his tally after halftime, temporarily restoring hope for Arbeloa's side.
However, Benfica matched Madrid's intensity with precision and aggression. Andreas Schjelderup netted a crucial brace, while Vangelis Pavlidis converted from the penalty spot to completely turn the match around. Madrid's defensive structure began to crumble under Benfica's relentless pressure, and their midfield struggled to cope with the home side's rapid transitions.
Late Chaos Seals Historic Benfica Victory
The closing moments descended into absolute madness as Real Madrid threw everything forward in search of an equalizer. In stoppage time, the situation worsened dramatically when both Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo were shown red cards, reducing Madrid to just nine men.
This was the perfect opportunity for Benfica to deliver the decisive blow. In a sensational twist, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin rushed forward for a corner and, completely unmarked, scored a dramatic late winner with a powerful header that sent the home supporters into ecstasy.
Real Madrid Player Ratings from Lisbon Thriller
Below are the individual ratings for Real Madrid players from this unforgettable match:
- Thibaut Courtois: 7/10
- Dani Carvajal: 6/10
- Antonio Rüdiger: 5/10
- Aurélien Tchouaméni: 4/10
- Ferland Mendy: 5/10
- Jude Bellingham: 6/10
- Arda Güler: 7/10
- Vinícius Júnior: 4/10
- Kylian Mbappé: 8/10
- Rodrygo: 4/10
- Raúl Asencio: 3/10
While Mbappé earned the highest rating with his two-goal performance, the defensive vulnerabilities and ill-discipline proved costly for Madrid. Benfica's Andreas Schjelderup was brilliant with his brace, and Anatoliy Trubin's late header completed an incredible turnaround that will be etched in Champions League history.
This result means Real Madrid, who needed only to avoid defeat to secure direct qualification to the finals, now find themselves in the two-legged playoff positions after letting their grip on the game slip in the second half. Benfica's non-stop aggression and confidence allowed them to capitalize on Madrid's errors and deliver one of their most iconic European nights.
