Late Collapse Sends Real Madrid and PSG Into Champions League Playoffs After Dramatic Final Matchday

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Late Collapse Sends Real Madrid and PSG Into Champions League Playoffs After Dramatic Final Matchday

Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain suffered dramatic setbacks on the final matchday of the Champions League league phase, missing out on automatic qualification to the round of 16. Madrid’s 4-2 defeat to Benfica, despite a Kylian Mbappe brace, pushed them into the playoff round, while PSG’s home draw with Newcastle proved equally costly. Several European heavyweights now face an unexpected knockout playoff under the tournament’s new format.

Published by Somesh | January 29, 2026

What was expected to be a routine qualification night turned into chaos for Real Madrid as they crashed out of the Champions League’s top eight following a dramatic 4-2 loss to Benfica in Lisbon. Entering the final league-phase matchday comfortably placed, Los Blancos slipped to ninth after a frantic evening filled with goals, red cards, and a stunning late twist.

Kylian Mbappe tried to rescue Madrid with a brace, but defensive lapses and a lack of discipline proved costly. Reduced to nine men after red cards to Raul Asencio and Rodrygo, Madrid conceded an extraordinary stoppage-time goal when Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin headed in from a late free-kick — his first professional goal — sealing a historic win for the Portuguese side.

Former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho hailed the victory as “historic and important,” as Benfica climbed into the knockout places on goal difference. Madrid’s fate was compounded by Sporting CP’s stoppage-time winner against Athletic Club, which nudged them out of the automatic qualification spots.

Paris Saint-Germain also endured disappointment, drawing 1-1 at home against Newcastle United. The result dropped PSG to 11th in the standings, forcing the defending champions into the playoff round under the revamped Champions League format. Newcastle, Inter Milan, and Juventus also missed out on direct qualification.

With the league phase complete, teams ranked ninth to 24th will now contest the knockout playoffs, adding an unexpected hurdle for European giants like Real Madrid and PSG as the road to the Champions League title becomes significantly tougher.