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Spanish titan Real Madrid suffered a 4-2 defeat against Benfica at Estadio da Luz on Wednesday, dropping them to ninth in the UEFA Champions League league phase standings. The result forces the Spanish club, who have won a record 15 European titles, into a play-off round in February rather than advancing directly to the last 16.
Despite three consecutive wins under newly appointed coach Alvaro Arbeloa, Madrid were outplayed by a Benfica side managed by Jose Mourinho. The Portuguese team secured its spot in the top 24 on goal difference, aided by a stoppage-time goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in the 98th minute.
Twenty-year-old Turkish star Arda Guler provided the assist for Kylian Mbappe’s second goal in the match, but found himself at the center of controversy late in the game. Arbeloa substituted Guler for Brahim Diaz in the final minutes, seeking fresh legs as Madrid pushed for an equalizer.
As he exited the pitch, Guler was visibly upset, walking off from the opposite sideline while shouting, "Always me," in protest of the decision.
His reaction evoked comparisons to a similar incident involving Vinicius Junior during a league match at Santiago Bernabeu, which had previously stirred internal tension within the squad.
Arbeloa later explained the substitution was made to introduce Brahim’s ability to unlock tight defenses and address Guler’s apparent fatigue. Though Guler’s performance was not deemed poor, the coaching staff sought an extra edge in the closing minutes as Madrid pursued a draw that would have lifted them into the top eight.
The coach had surprised many by starting Guler ahead of Eduardo Camavinga, who had delivered standout performances in recent matches against Villarreal and Monaco. However, Arbeloa emphasized the decision was deliberate and strategic, aimed at utilizing Guler’s creative capabilities on the field.
Prior to the match, Arbeloa praised Guler’s potential in a press conference, noting, "Arda is a boy with ability, talent, vision, final pass, and a great switch of play … We must exploit him more. He has room for improvement, is young, and is working hard. He is helping us a lot."
Yet, the coach also signaled that maturity and discipline are necessary for long-term success, saying, "He must continue to grow in all situations, and surely over time and with experience, he will be extremely important globally, if he isn’t already."
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