Mbappe Rescues Real Madrid As Benzema Saga Shakes Saudi League

What a whirlwind weekend for European football fans! From last-gasp heroics in Madrid to high-profile transfer drama in Saudi Arabia, the beautiful game delivered drama and intrigue at every turn on February 1, 2026. Let’s dig into the biggest stories, the jaw-dropping moments, and the shifting sands across leagues and continents.

Starting in Spain, Real Madrid supporters experienced a rollercoaster of emotions as their side narrowly escaped an embarrassing result against local rivals Rayo Vallecano. The Santiago Bernabeu crowd was left breathless when Kylian Mbappe, Real’s marquee summer signing, stepped up to the penalty spot in the 99th minute. With nerves of steel, Mbappe converted, sealing a dramatic 2-1 victory for Los Blancos. According to match reports, it was “almost a disastrous result for Real and their new boss, Alvaro Arbeloa, but they got the job done in the end and are back to within one point of Barcelona at the top of LaLiga.”

The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Real Madrid’s win not only kept their title hopes alive but also intensified the pressure on Barcelona, who remain perched at the summit. Earlier, Vinicius Junior had opened the scoring with his sixth league goal of the campaign, but Rayo Vallecano clawed back, threatening to derail Madrid’s chase. Mbappe’s late heroics, however, ensured the capital giants remain firmly in the hunt.

Meanwhile, over in Saudi Arabia, the football world was rocked by the news that Karim Benzema, the 2022 Ballon d’Or winner and one of the Saudi Pro League’s most prominent imports, is on the verge of a sensational early exit from Al Ittihad. Less than three years after arriving in Jeddah, Benzema is poised to leave the club, despite his contract running through June 30, 2026. Negotiations over an extension have collapsed, and the rift between Benzema and the club’s ownership has become impossible to ignore.

Sources close to the situation reveal that Benzema’s frustrations stem from a string of unmet promises and what he perceives as a lack of recognition for his contributions. The French striker was instrumental in Al Ittihad’s league and cup double during the 2024-25 season, quickly becoming the face of the club’s ambitious project. Yet, as contract talks soured, Benzema reportedly refused to play just hours before a recent match after being offered what he considered a “ridiculous” renewal proposal—one that, according to reports, included zero euros. “The proposal was an insult to his career,” as relayed via L’EQUIPE and OneFootball.

Back in December, Benzema told AS that he was open to extending his stay if the club would properly recognize his status and achievements. That acknowledgment, he said, never materialized. He also admitted that the Champions League anthem still resonated with him, hinting at a possible return to European football. Now, with his relationship with Al Ittihad seemingly beyond repair, Benzema could become one of the most unexpected names on the move as the transfer window’s final stretch approaches.

Speculation is already swirling about his next destination. Al Hilal, the current leaders of the Saudi Pro League, are closely monitoring the situation. With their Brazilian star Marcos Leonardo attracting interest from European clubs, Al Hilal have reportedly identified Benzema as a potential replacement. If the move materializes, it could significantly alter the balance of power within Saudi football, and perhaps even send ripples throughout the global game. For now, Benzema is not expected to feature in Al Ittihad’s upcoming clash against Al Najma—a notable absence for a player of his stature.

Despite the uncertainty, Benzema’s long-term vision remains clear. The Frenchman has privately maintained his desire to return to Real Madrid in a non-playing role once he retires, but that day isn’t imminent. “Benzema’s plan is to continue playing for at least two more seasons before calling time on his career,” sources confirm. The next chapter in his storied journey promises to be just as compelling as those that came before.

Elsewhere, Europe’s top leagues offered their own share of fireworks. In the Premier League, Arsenal bounced back from last week’s shock defeat with a commanding 4-0 win over Leeds United, extending their lead at the top of the table. Martin Zubimendi opened the scoring with a header, while Viktor Gyokeres continued his fine form, netting his third goal in four games. Manchester United, under the stewardship of Michael Carrick, continued their resurgence with a dramatic late winner against Fulham in a five-goal thriller. Meanwhile, Chelsea staged a remarkable comeback against West Ham, overturning a 2-0 halftime deficit to win 3-2 and reclaim a spot in the top four.

Liverpool fans were treated to a sparkling display at Anfield, where Hugo Ekitike bagged a brace in a 4-1 rout of Newcastle United. New signing Florian Wirtz also got on the scoresheet, and Ibrahima Konate added a late fourth as Arne Slot’s side climbed to fifth in the standings. Manchester City, meanwhile, traveled to Tottenham Hotspur for a much-anticipated clash in North London. Rayan Cherki and Antoine Semenyo gave City a 2-0 halftime lead, but Dominic Solanke’s acrobatic scorpion kick brought Spurs level in the second half, setting up a dramatic finale in a match that was still ongoing as of the latest updates.

Across Europe, the action was just as intense. In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich continued their march at the top, despite being held to a 2-2 draw by HSV. Borussia Dortmund fought back from 2-1 down to lead Heidenheim 3-2, thanks to a brace from Serhou Guirassy. In Serie A, Inter Milan looked to extend their lead at the top with a 2-0 halftime advantage over Cremonese, courtesy of goals from Lautaro Martinez and Piotr Zielinski. PSV Eindhoven’s dominance in the Eredivisie was underlined by a 3-0 win over Feyenoord, stretching their lead at the summit to a staggering 17 points.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing for the favorites, though. Aston Villa suffered a shock home defeat to 10-man Brentford, while Atletico Madrid were held to a goalless draw by struggling Levante. In France, Monaco snapped a four-game winless run with a 4-0 thrashing of Rennes, while Lyon beat Lille 1-0 thanks to a debut goal from Noah Nartey.

As the dust settles on a weekend packed with drama, one thing’s for sure: the season is heating up on every front. Real Madrid’s last-gasp win keeps the LaLiga title race alive, Benzema’s looming exit sends shockwaves through Saudi football, and the battle for supremacy across Europe’s top leagues shows no signs of letting up. Stay tuned—there’s plenty more to come as the storylines continue to unfold.