Amidst their dwindling fortunes on the domestic scene, Real Madrid have hit another low in their campaign this season following a shock defeat to Portuguese club Benfica in the 2025–26 Champions League league-phase final round, MySportDab reports.
Los Blancos went into the game third in the standings with 15 points, but needed a win to finish in the top eight for an automatic slot in the round of 16.
Kylian Mbappe, who has racked up the most goals in the competition this season with 11 to his name, opened the scoring for the La Liga side at half hour, thanks to Asencio’s assist.
However, that lead was short-lived as Schjelderup got Benfica back into this game with the equaliser just six minutes after Mbappe’s opener.
Just at the last touch of the ball before the break, Pavlidis fired Benfica in front, sending the hosts into the lead in the first 45.
Trailing by one goal, Real Madrid stepped up their game in the second half, pushing to find the equaliser, but were dealt a further blow nine minutes into the restart.
Schjelderup got the third for Benfica, latching on Pavlidis’ assists to make it 3–1 and extend the lead for the home side.
Despite trailing by two goals, Real Madrid had a lot to play for with a good chunk of minutes left on the clock.
Just four minutes after Schjelderup’s second goal, Mbappe gave the visitors a lifeline, scoring his second of the night to halve the deficit.
The narrow lead for Benfica left the game finely poised for a dramatic finish as Real Madrid stepped up proceedings to find the equaliser.
However, their effort hit the dead knell as Asencio and Rodrygo both picked up their second yellow cards I’d the game and were sent off in heated final moments.
At the stroke of regulation time, Trubin scored Benfica’s fourth goal to seal the win for the home side.
Tonight’s defeat has seen Real Madrid miss out of the top eight and will join the 9th to 24th-placed teams in the knockout playoffs.
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