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Champions League: Madrid Drop To Play-offs, Five English Clubs Move Into Round Of 16

By IANS News January 29, 2026 • 11:00 AM View: 75

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin: Real Madrid were defeated in Lisbon by Benfica and finished ninth and will have to face a play-off to reach the last 16 of the Champions League against Benfica or Bodo/Glimt.

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's sensational 98th-minute header earned Benfica a place in the knockout phase play-offs.

The Eagles looked set to miss out despite recovering from 1-0 down to open up a 3-1 lead thanks to two goals from Andreas Schjelderup either side of Vangelis Pavlidis' penalty.