Real Madrid were forced into the UEFA Champions League (UCL) play-offs after suffering a dramatic 4-2 defeat to SL Benfica, dropping to ninth in the league phase as goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s 98th-minute header secured the Portuguese side’s place in the top 24.

It was the first meeting between the European heavyweights since 1965, and with qualification on the line, Benfica wasted no time in asserting themselves. The hosts threatened early when a seventh-minute corner caused chaos in the Real penalty area, ricocheting off Tomas Araujo and drifting narrowly wide.

Benfica thought they had earned a penalty soon after when referee Davide Massa penalised Jude Bellingham for a challenge on Gianluca Prestianni, only to overturn the decision following a VAR review. Prestianni remained unfortunate, seeing his curling effort tipped onto the crossbar by Thibaut Courtois midway through the half, while Fredrik Aursnes later volleyed over after Nicolas Otamendi recycled the resulting corner.

A long-range effort from Arda Guler that flashed wide signalled a shift in momentum, and Real capitalised in the 30th minute. Raul Asencio delivered a precise cross to the back post, where Kylian Mbappé headed home to score the first goal in this historic fixture since Ferenc Puskás.

The visitors’ lead lasted only seven minutes. After Asencio was denied by Trubin, Benfica struck back as Vangelis Pavlidis powered through the defence and crossed for Andreas Schjelderup, who nodded past Courtois.

Real struggled to cope with Benfica’s pressure before the break. Federico Valverde cleared Schjelderup’s effort off the line, and Leandro Barreiro headed wide from close range. The hosts then turned the game around in stoppage time when Aurélien Tchouaméni fouled Otamendi in the box, allowing Pavlidis to convert the resulting penalty.

Benfica continued their momentum after the restart. Having survived an early chance for Vinícius Júnior, they extended their lead through a flowing counter-attack that ended with Schjelderup cutting inside and firing past Courtois at the near post.

Mbappé responded just four minutes later, completing his brace with a composed finish after excellent work from Guler, but Real could not build on that momentum. Trubin made important saves to deny Guler and Bellingham, while Courtois kept out Barreiro and thwarted further chances at both ends.

Tensions boiled over in stoppage time as Real were reduced to nine men. Asencio was dismissed for a second booking, and Rodrygo followed shortly after, collecting two yellow cards in quick succession.

With one final opportunity from an Aursnes free-kick, Benfica sent everyone forward. In extraordinary fashion, goalkeeper Trubin rose highest to head home in the 98th minute, sealing a famous victory and securing Benfica’s place in the play-offs.

The dramatic finale condemned Real Madrid to the knockout round play-offs, while Benfica celebrated one of the most memorable nights in their European history.