What an absolute shocker in Lisbon! Real Madrid suffered a humiliating 4-2 defeat against Benfica, proving that even with a Kylian Mbappé masterclass, a team can still fall apart. This wasn't just a loss; it was a defensive meltdown punctuated by disciplinary nightmares, leaving Los Blancos staring down a Champions League play-off.
Key Takeaways from the Lisbon Rout
- Kylian Mbappé scored a brilliant brace, but his heroics were ultimately in vain.
- Real Madrid's defense was alarmingly porous, conceding four goals to a relentless Benfica.
- Two red cards for Raul Asencio and Rodrygo compounded Madrid's misery.
- The loss forces Los Blancos into a tense Champions League play-off round, an unexpected hurdle.
Madrid's Shaky Foundations: Defensive Woes Unpacked
Thibaut Courtois (5/10): While Courtois made a few decent saves, he was frequently left exposed by a porous defense. Getting nutmegged for the first goal and diving the wrong way for the second highlights a tough night where he could do little about the onslaught.
Federico Valverde (5/10): Playing in an unfamiliar right-back role, Valverde was constantly caught out of position. He left Raul Asencio vulnerable far too often, a mismatch Benfica ruthlessly exploited throughout the game.
Raul Asencio (4/10): A truly calamitous performance from Asencio. He was absolutely rinsed in the build-up to Benfica's equalizer and later picked up a completely unnecessary second yellow card in stoppage time. His assist for Mbappé's opener is barely a footnote on such a chaotic night.
Dean Huijsen (6/10): Huijsen spent much of his time covering for Alvaro Carreras, which isn't his natural game. He was unfairly substituted, a harsh decision given the circumstances.
Alvaro Carreras (5/10): Carreras lacked the fundamental positional discipline required at this level in the first half. This allowed Benfica to constantly penetrate down his side of the pitch, creating dangerous situations.
The Engine Room Breakdown: Midfield Battles
Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10): A clumsy shove from Tchouameni led to a penalty, epitomizing a night where he struggled for control. He also needed to move the ball quicker to inject pace into Madrid's attacks.
Arda Guler (6/10): Guler was easily muscled off the ball multiple times and struggled for influence in central midfield. He looked far more effective and comfortable when shifted out to the right wing.
Jude Bellingham (6/10): Bellingham put in his usual tireless shift, running his socks off and getting stuck into challenges. However, he was largely starved of attacking opportunities, a clear sign of Madrid's disjointed play and lack of creativity in midfield.
Mbappé's Heroics in Vain: Forward Frustrations
Franco Mastantuono (5/10): Mastantuono maintained his width, which was useful, but his execution on the ball needed far more precision. He struggled to consistently make incisive passes or dribbles.
Kylian Mbappé (8/10): The only shining light for Real Madrid. Mbappé clinically took his header well for the opener and later added another to briefly ignite hope. Despite an early injury scare, he soldiered on, delivering a top-tier individual performance amidst the team's chaos.
Vinicius Jr (5/10): Vinicius Jr was surprisingly anonymous in the first half, often double-teamed and unable to find space. While he offered glimpses of quality after the break, his reluctance to pass sometimes stifled promising attacking moves.
Tactical Blunders and Disciplinary Nightmares: Bench & Boss
Eduardo Camavinga (6/10): Camavinga offered some much-needed bite and steel in midfield after his introduction. His presence gave Los Blancos a slightly firmer grip on the game.
Rodrygo (4/10): A truly forgettable appearance for Rodrygo. He failed to make any offensive impact off the right wing and then earned a straight red card for dissent in stoppage time, reflecting Madrid's deep frustration.
David Alaba (6/10): Alaba provided a solid, if unspectacular, shift at centre-back after coming on. He brought a degree of composure to a reeling defense.
Jorge Cestero (6/10): Another bright cameo for the young academy talent, Cestero, showing flashes of his potential even in a losing effort.
Brahim Diaz (N/A): Introduced too late to make any significant contribution to the match.
Alvaro Arbeloa (4/10): Arbeloa's decision to field a strong lineup backfired spectacularly. His Real Madrid side looked remarkably frail and thoroughly deserved this crushing defeat. The tactical setup seemed to expose more weaknesses than it capitalized on strengths, a poor night at the office for the manager.
