The Hitchcock Night: Benfica’s Late Twist Forces Real Madrid into a Champions League Playoff

Madrid\'s late twist forces a Champions League playoff

Real Madrid suffered a painful defeat on Wednesday night, as they were beaten 4-2 by host Benfica in Lisbon, sealing the end of the Champions League group stage with disappointment.

Benfica found the net four times through a mix of scorers, and a late goal by their goalkeeper Troubin capped the night, while Mbappé scored twice for Real Madrid in the 30th and 58th minutes.

The result leaves Real Madrid on 15 points, dropping from third to ninth on the final matchday and forcing them into a playoff to reach the knockout rounds, while the eight group winners progressed directly.

All of this unfolded despite Madrid sitting inside the top eight for most of the night; the decisive moment arrived in the Bilbao vs Sporting Lisbon clash, reshaping Madrid\'s fate and sending them to the playoff.

The scoreline had been 2-2 as the clock reached 94 minutes. If that had been the final result, Sporting would have finished with 14 points and sat in 13th, earning a playoff berth, while Chelsea would be eighth and Madrid ninth on goal difference.

Then a stoppage-time goal in the Bilbao vs Sporting Lisbon game changed everything lifting Sporting to seventh with 16 points, pushing Chelsea to eighth on tiebreakers and dropping Madrid to ninth with 15; Benfica\'s late drama also sealed the playoff spot for their team.

Benfica finished bottom of the group with nine points just ahead of Marseille and Pafos on goal difference. The Benfica goal difference moved to minus two while Marseille and Pafos were on minus three.

If Troubin\'s late strike had not counted the three teams would have been level on goal difference; Marseille would have advanced on goals scored and Real Madrid would have watched from the sidelines. In the end Benfica took the playoff slot and Madrid headed to the unknown of the knockout play-offs.

Punchline 1: If playoffs were a stand up routine, Real Madrid just booked a front row seat to the drama—and they didn\'t even need a mic check.

Punchline 2: Benfica found the late show and turned it into a cliffhanger. The sequel, coming soon to a stadium near you.