Benfica Stun Real Madrid With Four-Goal Champions League Thriller

On a dramatic night in Lisbon, Benfica produced a stirring 4-2 victory over Real Madrid in the final game of the league phase of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, sending shockwaves across European football and rewriting the group standings in the process. The Estádio do SL Benfica was electric as fans witnessed a clash loaded with high stakes, wild momentum swings, and a truly improbable finish. For Real Madrid, a team accustomed to Champions League heroics, this was a night they’d rather forget. For Benfica, it was a night that may well be talked about for years to come.

Heading into the match, both clubs found themselves at a crossroads. Real Madrid, sitting third in the table, needed only a draw or a win to secure direct passage to the Round of 16. Benfica, on the other hand, were fighting for their Champions League lives, requiring not only a win but also favorable results elsewhere to extend their European adventure. The tension was palpable as the teams lined up under the floodlights, with every pass and tackle carrying the weight of the season.

The starting lineups reflected the urgency of the occasion. Real Madrid manager Álvaro Arbeloa, facing his former club, named a strong eleven: Courtois in goal; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, and Carreras in defense; Tchouaméni, Bellingham, and Guler across the midfield; and a front three of Mastantuono, Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior. Benfica, equally determined, matched Madrid’s intensity from the first whistle, pushing forward with a purpose that signaled their intent.

The early stages of the first half were nothing short of a siege by Benfica. They struck the bar, rattled the post, and forced Courtois into a string of saves. Yet, for all their dominance, the home side couldn’t find the net in the opening thirty minutes. Real Madrid, battered but unbroken, seemed to be riding their luck—until Kylian Mbappé, always a man for the big occasion, delivered. Against the run of play, Mbappé found space and finished clinically to give Madrid the lead, momentarily silencing the home crowd.

But Benfica weren’t about to wilt. The Portuguese faithful roared their side back into action, and Andreas Schelderup answered the call. With a well-timed run and a cool finish, Schelderup leveled the score, reigniting the contest and sending the Estádio do SL Benfica into a frenzy. The equalizer only emboldened Benfica, who pressed harder for a second goal as the half wore on.

Just before the break, disaster struck for Real Madrid. Benfica’s relentless pressure forced a defensive error, leading to a penalty kick. The home side made no mistake from the spot, taking a 2-1 lead into halftime and leaving Madrid reeling from what could only be described as a physical and technical battering in the first forty-five minutes.

Real Madrid emerged from the tunnel desperate to turn the tide. Vinícius Júnior had a golden opportunity to equalize with a header, but couldn’t convert. Benfica, undeterred, continued to create chances, with Thibaut Courtois keeping Madrid’s hopes alive with a sharp low save. Yet, the dam finally broke again when Schelderup, having already scored the equalizer, struck once more—this time finding the bottom corner after a swift transition, pushing Benfica’s lead to 3-1.

Still, Madrid refused to go quietly. Mbappé, showing why he’s one of the world’s most feared forwards, pulled one back to make it 3-2 and set up a nervy finish. Jude Bellingham nearly brought Madrid level, only to see his shot sail over the bar. As time ticked away, Benfica remained dangerous on the counter, threatening to put the game out of reach.

Then came the moment that will be replayed for years: chaos unfolded in the final minutes. Raúl Asencio, already on a yellow card, committed a rash challenge and was sent off, reducing Madrid to ten men. Moments later, Rodrygo Goes followed him for dissent, leaving the Spanish giants with just nine players on the pitch. The numerical advantage proved decisive, and in an almost surreal twist, Benfica goalkeeper Trubin joined the attack and scored—a rare and dramatic goal that sealed the 4-2 victory and sent the home crowd into delirium.

"Even toward the end of the game, it was still the home side creating the better chances. Raúl Asencio triggered an absolute implosion, after being shown a red card (second yellow) for a silly challenge. Worse, Rodrygo Goes then was sent for a slightly early shower, after being shown a red himself, seemingly for dissent. Even worse, the goalkeeper scored to send Benfica through to the next stages of the competition, and hand Real Madrid the biggest embarrassment in recent memor…" (from Article 2). The quote sums up the mayhem and the magnitude of the upset.

For Real Madrid, the ramifications were immediate and severe. The defeat saw them tumble from third to ninth in the group standings, a drop that means they’ll now have to contest additional playoff fixtures instead of advancing directly to the Round of 16. It’s a bitter pill for a club with such lofty expectations, especially after an impressive domestic win over Villarreal just days earlier.

Benfica, meanwhile, celebrated not just a famous win but also a lifeline in Europe’s premier competition. With their playoff hopes still alive, the Portuguese side showed resilience and flair, qualities that will serve them well as they look to extend their Champions League journey. The heroics of Schelderup and the once-in-a-lifetime goal from Trubin will no doubt become part of club lore.

The stakes, the drama, and the stunning twists made this a match for the ages. With both teams’ European destinies altered in ninety unforgettable minutes, fans and pundits alike will be dissecting every moment for weeks to come. As the Champions League rolls on, Benfica’s improbable triumph stands as a testament to the unpredictability and magic that makes this competition truly special.

For now, the Estádio do SL Benfica echoes with the sounds of celebration, while Real Madrid faces hard questions and an uncertain path forward. The Champions League, ever the stage for the unexpected, has delivered yet another unforgettable chapter.