Real Madrid’s Champions League Knockout Status After Benfica Thriller
Real Madrid’s journey in the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League took a tumultuous turn as they concluded the league phase in a dramatic encounter against Benfica. After the departure of head coach Xabi Alonso, the club appointed Alvaro Arbeloa from their reserve team. However, the managerial change did not yield immediate improvement.
Arbeloa’s initial match was a disappointing loss to Albacete, leading to an early exit from the Copa del Rey. Although performances improved in subsequent matches, Real Madrid faced renewed struggles on the European stage during their eighth and final league-phase match.
Champions League Knockout Status
Despite their challenges, Real Madrid has qualified for the Champions League knockout stage. However, they missed out on an automatic place in the Round of 16. The team finished ninth overall, which means they must navigate through the playoff round.
Final Standings Overview
| Position | Club | Points | Wins-Draws-Losses | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arsenal | 24 | 8-0-0 | +19 |
| 2 | Bayern Munich | 21 | 7-0-1 | +14 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 18 | 6-0-2 | +12 |
| 4 | Tottenham | 17 | 5-2-1 | +10 |
| 5 | Barcelona | 16 | 5-1-2 | +8 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 16 | 5-1-2 | +7 |
| 7 | Sporting CP | 16 | 5-1-2 | +6 |
| 8 | Manchester City | 16 | 5-1-2 | +6 |
| 9 | Real Madrid | 15 | 5-0-3 | +9 |
| 10 | Inter Milan | 15 | 5-0-3 | +8 |
| 11 | PSG | 14 | 2-2-2 | +10 |
| 12 | Newcastle | 14 | 2-2-2 | +10 |
Benfica Match Recap
Entering the final matchday, Real Madrid needed a strong performance to secure a better standing. A win was essential for an automatic entry into the Round of 16, while a draw would have still positioned them favorably.
However, against Benfica, they faced unexpected hurdles. Kylian Mbappe scored twice for Madrid, but his efforts were overshadowed by Benfica’s Andreas Schjelderup, who also netted two goals, along with Vangelis Pavlidis’s penalty. As tensions rose, Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio received a red card in stoppage time, followed by a dismissal of substitute Rodrygo shortly after.
In a climactic finish, Benfica’s goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored with the last play of the game, ensuring Benfica’s place in the playoff round while ultimately eliminating Marseille from contention. This extraordinary turn of events left Real Madrid with the task of fighting through the playoff round, further highlighting their challenging season.
