This was supposed to be “Matchday Mayhem” and for once the hype didn’t lie.
Real Madrid falling out of the top eight on the final night says everything about how mad this new Champions League format is. Benfica knocking them out with a last-second header from their goalkeeper? That’s pure football insanity. You don’t script moments like that. Madrid defended like strangers, panicked at the end, and paid for it.
Say what you want about the new format, but it delivered when it mattered. One corner. One header. One stadium exploding. Benfica earned it the hard way.
English teams won’t shout about it, but five in the top eight is huge. Arsenal were ruthless, Liverpool efficient, City calm, Chelsea impressive away in Naples. No extra playoff games means fresher legs—and that matters more than pride in February.
Sporting Lisbon finishing above Madrid, PSG and Inter? That’s not luck. That’s belief. Late goals, fearless football, zero respect for reputations. They look like a team nobody wants to face.
There were surprises everywhere Qarabag sneaking through despite a hammering, Brugge doing it again, Bodø/Glimt turning giant killing into a habit. This tournament still belongs to the brave.
Player of the week has to be Trubin for the moment alone, but Schjelderup embarrassed Madrid’s back line all night. If he’d taken all his chances, it could’ve been ugly.
Madrid know they messed up. Mbappé didn’t hide from it. Red cards, sloppy defending, no control when it mattered. Playoffs feel right for a team this inconsistent.
And now the draw looms. Madrid might get Benfica again. Or worse. Arsenal get rewarded, but there are no easy games left there never are.
Love the format or hate it, the Champions League reminded everyone why we’re obsessed. When football goes crazy like this, nothing else comes close.
