Kylian Mbappe did all he could on the scoresheet in Lisbon, netting both of Real Madrid’s goals to take his Champions League tally to 13, but even his clinical finishing could not mask a disappointing night for Los Blancos.
As the final whistle blew, the French forward cut a reflective and brutally honest figure, admitting Madrid simply did not do enough to earn a positive result against a fired-up Benfica side.
“In football, matches start at minute 0, not 45, so in the end, the defeat is deserved,” Mbappe said.
“I can’t say it wasn’t deserved because we didn’t play to win this match. We didn’t play well, and they did. Benfica at home is always difficult. We knew that beforehand, and I think it was our fault.”
As the game swung in Benfica’s favour, momentum and intensity clearly followed the hosts, something the French forward felt Madrid failed to match from the opening exchanges.
While keeping one eye on the future, the forward hinted that a return to Lisbon could tell a very different story.
“We’ll see what happens, but it’s possible we’ll come back here, and if so, we’ll return with a different intention.
“The first balls and the duels they win aren’t a matter of quality or tactics, but of having more desire than the opponent.”
From kickoff to the closing stages, Benfica played with urgency, knowing progression was on the line, while Madrid struggled to show the same hunger. For Mbappe, that contrast defined the contest.
“It was clear that Benfica were fighting for their lives, but it wasn’t clear that we were.
“That was the big problem of the match. At the beginning, both teams had something to play for: us to be in the top 8 and them to be in the top 24.
“We saw Benfica’s potential, but we didn’t show what was at stake for ourselves.”
Despite his brace, the France international’s verdict was unambiguous. In a night that underlined the fine margins at Champions League level, Los Blancos were outworked, out-fought and ultimately outplayed and their star man was the first to admit it.
Toosin is a dedicated sports writer with a strong background in crafting engaging and insightful content. With experience at Goal, he has developed a sharp editorial sense and a refined storytelling approach that brings depth and perspective to sports journalism. His passion for the game goes beyond the headlines, as he captures both the excitement of the sport and the compelling human narratives behind each event. Toosin’s work resonates with a broad and diverse audience, making global sports stories accessible, relatable, and impactful.
