{"id":39808,"date":"2026-01-29T02:24:58","date_gmt":"2026-01-29T07:24:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/kylian-mbappe-falls-short-as-real-madrid-struggles-to-secure-champions-league-playoff-spot\/"},"modified":"2026-01-29T02:24:58","modified_gmt":"2026-01-29T07:24:58","slug":"kylian-mbappe-falls-short-as-real-madrid-struggles-to-secure-champions-league-playoff-spot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/kylian-mbappe-falls-short-as-real-madrid-struggles-to-secure-champions-league-playoff-spot\/","title":{"rendered":"Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 Falls Short as Real Madrid Struggles to Secure Champions League Playoff Spot"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/kylian-mbappe-falls-short-as-real-madrid-struggles-to-secure-champions-league-playoff-spot\/#Goalkeeper_and_Defense\" >Goalkeeper and Defense<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/kylian-mbappe-falls-short-as-real-madrid-struggles-to-secure-champions-league-playoff-spot\/#Midfield\" >Midfield<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/kylian-mbappe-falls-short-as-real-madrid-struggles-to-secure-champions-league-playoff-spot\/#Attack\" >Attack<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/29\/kylian-mbappe-falls-short-as-real-madrid-struggles-to-secure-champions-league-playoff-spot\/#Substitutes_and_Manager\" >Substitutes and Manager<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>Anatoly Trubin&#8217;s unexpected header in the stoppage time of the second half clinched an impressive 4-2 win for Benfica over a lackluster Real Madrid on Wednesday. Los Blancos struggled to keep up with the Portuguese side, leaving them in a tough spot as they head into the play-offs with the last 16 of the Champions League at stake.<\/p>\n<p>In the first half, Madrid appeared disoriented, with Jose Mourinho&#8217;s team pressing the visitors as the half drew to a close. Despite their struggles, Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 managed to score with a header on his first touch, giving Real an undeserved lead.<\/p>\n<p>Benfica equalized in the 36th minute when Andreas Schjelderup found the net with a well-executed header through the legs of Thibaut Courtois, finishing a swift counter-attack. Their second goal followed shortly before halftime after Aur\u00e9lien Tchouam\u00e9ni fouled a player in the box, leading to Vangelis Pavlidis scoring from the penalty spot.<\/p>\n<p>The situation for Madrid worsened early in the second half as Benfica scored three more goals stemming from another counter-attack halted by Schjerderup\u2019s effort. Nevertheless, Madrid clawed back when Mbapp\u00e9 scored from a cross by Arda G\u00fcler.<\/p>\n<p>As Madrid sought to level the match, both Raul Asensio and Rodrygo were shown red cards during stoppage time. The match concluded with Trubin scoring from a free-kick in the dying moments, sealing a remarkable night for Benfica and setting up a possible rematch with either Mourinho\u2019s squad or Bodo\/Glimt in February.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Goal Ratings for Real Madrid Players at Estadio La Luz<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Goalkeeper_and_Defense\"><\/span>Goalkeeper and Defense<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Thibaut Courtois (5\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nMade several good saves but mishandled the first goal, dove the wrong way for the second, and had no chance on the third and fourth goals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Federico Valverde (5\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nWas often outpaced on both flanks and left Asensio isolated.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Raul Albiol (4\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nStruggled against Benfica&#8217;s build-up to the equalizer and received a needless second yellow in stoppage time, but did assist Mbapp\u00e9\u2019s opening goal.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Dean Heisen (6\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nCovered a lot of ground but wasn&#8217;t at his best; unfairly substituted.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Alvaro Carreras (5\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nLacked positional discipline in the first half, contributing to Benfica&#8217;s consistent attacks down his side.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Midfield\"><\/span>Midfield<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Aurelien Tchouam\u00e9ni (5\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nConceded a penalty from a careless push and could have moved the ball quicker at times. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Arda G\u00fcler (6\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nStruggled to keep possession, with the right side performing better.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jude Bellingham (6\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nHad limited opportunities to create plays as the match progressed.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Attack\"><\/span>Attack<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Franco Mastatuono (5\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nProvided width but needed better ball control.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 (8\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nScored a solid header but faced an injury scare shortly after; brought Madrid back into contention but couldn&#8217;t secure further goals.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Vinicius Jr. (5\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nInvisible in the first half, showed more promise afterward but often ran into double-teams.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Substitutes_and_Manager\"><\/span>Substitutes and Manager<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Eduardo Camavinga (6\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nBrought additional power to midfield after entering the game.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Rodrigo (4\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nMade little impact on the right and was sent off for dissent in stoppage time.<\/p>\n<p><strong>David Alaba (6\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nHandled a shift to center back well.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Jorge Setero (6\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nShowed promise during his short cameo from the academy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Brahim Diaz (N\/A):<\/strong><br \/>\nDidn\u2019t have enough time to contribute meaningfully.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Alvaro Arbeloa (4\/10):<\/strong><br \/>\nDespite a strong effort, his team\u2019s vulnerability ultimately led to a surprising defeat.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>This shocking upset underlines the shifting dynamics in European football, reminding fans that no team is invulnerable, regardless of historical prestige. Such results keep the spirit of competition alive and can signal a turning point for clubs aiming for glory on the continental stage.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Anatoly Trubin&#8217;s unexpected header in the stoppage time of the second half clinched an impressive 4-2 win for Benfica over a lackluster Real Madrid on Wednesday. Los Blancos struggled to keep up with the Portuguese side, leaving them in a tough spot as they head into the play-offs with the last 16 of the Champions [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":39809,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[276,2296,40,1468,97,564,1469,46,490,452,1092,3521,45,766,1233],"class_list":{"0":"post-39808","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-champions","9":"tag-falls","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-kylian","12":"tag-league","13":"tag-madrid","14":"tag-mbappe","15":"tag-news","16":"tag-playoff","17":"tag-real","18":"tag-secure","19":"tag-short","20":"tag-soccer","21":"tag-spot","22":"tag-struggles"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39808","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=39808"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/39808\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/39809"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=39808"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=39808"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=39808"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}