Real Madrid’s Champions League league-phase finale in Lisbon turned into a painful lesson in control, discipline, and defensive structure, as Benfica punished Álvaro Arbeloa’s side in transition and sealed a stunning 4-2 win — capped by an almost unbelievable late header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice to keep Madrid in touching distance, but Los Blancos were second best for long spells at the Estádio da Luz, finishing with two players sent off in a chaotic end to the contest.
How the match unfolded
Benfica set the tone early and never really let Madrid settle. Even before the scoreboard shifted, the home side were forcing Courtois into action and threatening to run away with the game.
Madrid struck first on 30 minutes through Mbappé, but Benfica’s response was immediate and deserved. Andreas Schjelderup levelled six minutes later, and just before the interval Benfica went ahead from the penalty spot through Vangelis Pavlidis (45+5’).
The second half followed the same script: Benfica sharper in transition, Madrid chasing. Schjelderup doubled his tally on 54 minutes to make it 3-1, before Mbappé pulled one back at 58’ to offer a lifeline.
Then came the late collapse. Raúl Asencio saw red (90+2’), Rodrygo followed (90+7’), and with Madrid stretched and scrambling, Benfica’s Trubin went forward for a set piece and headed in at 90+8’ to complete the story.
The key problems Madrid couldn’t solve
1) Transition defending was a constant red flag
Benfica repeatedly found space the moment Madrid lost the ball. The spacing between midfield and defence looked too big, and Benfica attacked those gaps with speed and conviction.
2) Madrid lacked match control after key moments
Even at 1-0 up and again at 3-2, Madrid never truly imposed a spell of calm possession or territorial dominance. Benfica kept creating, and Madrid kept surviving — until they couldn’t.
3) Discipline turned a bad night into a disaster
Asencio’s late dismissal and Rodrygo’s red card killed any chance of a final push. For a side trying to find stability under a new coach, that emotional loss of control is as worrying as the defending.
What does this say about Arbeloa’s start?
Arbeloa was only appointed earlier this month, stepping in as Real Madrid’s first-team coach after the club’s change on the bench.
There have been bright spots — including a statement Champions League win over Monaco and solid league results — so the early weeks haven’t been all doom.
But Lisbon exposed the gap between “good performances” and “reliable structure.” When Madrid’s intensity dropped or Benfica broke the first line, the team looked open and reactive rather than compact and prepared — and the late implosion suggested frustration is boiling over too quickly.
That’s the real test for Arbeloa now: not just getting Madrid to play well, but getting them to play controlled — especially away from home in Europe.
Up next
Madrid now move into the next stage needing a reset in both mentality and organisation after a bruising European defeat.
RMxtra takeaway: Mbappé did his part. The rest of the team — from defensive spacing to emotional discipline — has to look in the mirror.
What’s your verdict on Arbeloa so far — promising start with a big setback, or warning signs already?