It's a cold shower for Real Madrid. While a single point would have been enough to secure their direct ticket to the round of 16, Álvaro Arbeloa's men completely collapsed in Lisbon on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Despite being favorites against a struggling Benfica side, Real Madrid lost 4-2 at the end of a nightmarish evening.

A collective shipwreck and indiscipline

True to form, Real Madrid displayed a pale and shaky performance. Kylian Mbappé attempted to carry his team with a brace , but the French striker's contribution was ultimately thwarted by fatal indiscipline. Los Blancos finished the match with nine men after Marco Asensio and Rodrygo were sent off, leaving the field wide open for the Portuguese side.

Mourinho's stroke of genius (and madness)

José Mourinho's Benfica, despite being full of doubt before kickoff, managed the game perfectly. After a second half spent absorbing pressure from Real Madrid in order to counter-attack effectively, the "Special One" saw the suspense end in the most improbable way possible.

In the dying seconds, from a last-gasp free kick, Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatolii Trubin rose into the opposing penalty area. Dominating the Madrid defense in the air, he headed home the decisive fourth goal, sealing the match's fate.

Heading towards the dams

This humiliating defeat condemns Real Madrid to the playoffs . The Madrid side will absolutely have to bounce back if they want to reach the round of 16 of their beloved competition.