In a stunning conclusion to the Champions League group stage, Real Madrid’s campaign unraveled dramatically with a 4-2 defeat against Benfica in Lisbon, denying them automatic qualification for the knockout rounds. Despite taking an early lead through Kylian Mbappé, the Spanish giants collapsed in the closing moments as José Mourinho’s Benfica staged a remarkable comeback.
The match reached its climax in the 98th minute when Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored an unprecedented header, securing his team’s fourth goal and propelling the Portuguese side into the playoffs on goal difference. Real’s disastrous evening was compounded by two stoppage-time red cards shown to Raul Asencio and Rodrygo.
Meanwhile, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain also dropped out of the top eight after being held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United at home. Both teams now face the uncertainty of the playoff round despite beginning the final matchday in automatic qualification positions.
Liverpool concluded their group campaign emphatically with a 6-0 demolition of Qarabag, featuring braces from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah. Barcelona orchestrated a impressive recovery from ninth position, overcoming Copenhagen 4-1 with goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Marcus Rashford.
Manchester City secured their progression with a 2-0 victory over Galatasaray, climbing from eleventh to eighth position. Arsenal achieved historic distinction by becoming the first club to complete the new 36-team group format with a perfect record, defeating Kairat Almaty 3-2.
The expanded Champions League format maintained suspense until the final seconds of the eighth round, with only four clubs definitively eliminated before the last matchday. The playoffs will feature prominent clubs including Real Madrid, Juventus, and Inter Milan, who must navigate two-legged ties to reach the last sixteen.