Real Madrid and PSG Face UCL Playoffs After Shocking Final Day

Real Madrid experienced a stunning setback on Wednesday, as they were relegated to the qualifying playoffs of the UEFA Champions League. This unexpected outcome came at the hands of their former coach, Jose Mourinho, whose team, Benfica, clinched a dramatic 4-2 victory with a last-minute goal from their goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin. This result not only eliminated Madrid from direct advancement to the knockout stage but also placed them in the precarious position of having to fight for their Champions League future.

Despite two goals from Kylian Mbappé, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) also faltered, drawing 1-1 with Newcastle and dropping to 11th in the standings. Both teams will join Madrid in the playoff draw scheduled for Friday, which will feature teams that finished between ninth and 24th place in the competition.

Last-Minute Heartbreak for Madrid

Madrid entered the match against Benfica in a solid third position in the standings but fell to ninth after the loss. The situation worsened when Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo received red cards, leaving Madrid with just nine players on the pitch. Benfica’s unexpected surge came from a goal scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time, allowing them to advance to the knockout phase despite finishing in 24th place based on goal difference.

In a further twist, Sporting CP secured a stoppage-time goal in their own match against Athletic Club, which ended in a 3-2 victory. This result pushed Madrid further down the rankings, as Sporting joined the ranks of top finishers like Liverpool, who thrashed Qarabag 6-0, and other heavyweights such as Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, and Manchester City.

Significant Upsets and Playoff Picture

The season’s drama did not stop with Madrid’s fall. Arsenal capped off a perfect run with an eighth consecutive win, defeating Kairat Almaty 3-2, while second-placed Bayern Munich also assured their advancement to the knockout stage, which begins in March.

The playoffs will also see exciting newcomers, such as Norwegian debutants Bodo/Glimt, who secured their spot by defeating Atlético Madrid 2-1. Their victory underscored the importance of their previous win against Manchester City, showcasing the competitive nature of this year’s tournament.

Meanwhile, Marseille found themselves eliminated after a 3-0 defeat to Club Brugge, resulting in their drop to 25th place with nine points. Other notable teams entering the playoffs include Qarabag, Brugge, Galatasaray, Olympiakos, Juventus, and Atalanta from Italy.

In a surprising turn of events, last year’s finalists, Napoli, were ousted from contention, finishing in 30th place after a narrow 3-2 loss at home to Chelsea. As the playoff draw approaches, the stakes are higher than ever, and teams will be eager to secure their place in the next round of Europe’s premier club competition.