Champions League review: discontent for Real Madrid in a chaotic conclusion to group play

Real Madrid's Champions League group stage campaign ended in disappointment after a last-gasp defeat to Benfica at the Estádio da Luz on matchday six. The Portuguese side's 3-2 win was secured with just 11 minutes left on the clock, leaving Los Blancos' hopes of progression all but extinguished.

The Portuguese team came from behind to seal their spot in the knockout phase of the competition. Benfica levelled the score before the interval through a strike by João Félix, only for Real Madrid to regain the lead through a Gonzalo Jiménez goal. However, they were unable to hold onto it and a late double from Gonçalo Ramos sealed a stunning comeback.

The result means that both teams will be eliminated from the group stage, leaving Real Madrid with just one point from six games. The defeat has raised questions about the future of manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is under intense pressure to deliver results in this season's Champions League.

Benfica, on the other hand, have secured a spot in the knockout phase and will face either Borussia Dortmund or Inter Milan in the next round. Their victory marked a triumphant return to the Champions League after a 17-year absence from the competition.

so disppointing for real madrid fans... thought they had it in the bag, but benfica came back from nowhere those 11 minutes at the end must've felt like an eternity... can't say i'm surprised tho, team just couldn't seem to get anything going. Ancelotti's gonna have some explaining to do now and benfica deserves a massive shoutout for that epic comeback ... 17 years without making it back into the champions league, what a story

I'm really confused about Real Madrid's performance this season... They had so much hype and money, but now they're struggling to make an impact . I think Ancelotti needs to shake things up, maybe bring in some fresh faces or a new strategy. Their squad is still stacked with talent, but it seems like they're not clicking together on the pitch. And that comeback by Benfica was just insane! Gonçalo Ramos's goals were like he had magic legs . I'm sad to see both teams go out of the Champions League, but at least Benfica gets to experience the knockout phase again after 17 years – what a story!

I'm low-key kinda impressed by Benfica's come-from-behind win , I mean, who doesn't love an underdog story? But at the same time, I'm like totally disappointed in Real Madrid... err, I mean, I'm not really sure how to feel about it . I think Ancelotti is done for as manager, he just can't get it together, but on the other hand, maybe this is exactly what they needed - a wake-up call? And Benfica's return to the Champions League is awesome, but don't they have like, some of the best players in Portugal already? shouldn't they be doing better?

Ugh, Real Madrid is literally getting destroyed this season ... I mean, I know they've got some amazing talent like Karim Benzema and Luka Modrić, but Carlo Ancelotti needs to step up his game pronto! 3-2 defeat to Benfica with just 11 minutes left? That's not acceptable . And to make matters worse, it was a comeback for the ages - I'm talking Gonçalo Ramos' double goal in the last minutes of the match... talk about nerves . Anyway, at least Benfica is back in the Champions League after 17 years, that's kinda cool . Real Madrid's got one point from six games? No wonder they're under pressure .

Man, that was such a crazy match ! I mean, Real Madrid was up for like an hour but just couldn't keep it together in the end. Benfica was so desperate and determined, I've got to give 'em props for that comeback . And can you believe they haven't been back to the Champions League in 17 years? That's what makes it even more impressive . Carlo Ancelotti's future is looking pretty uncertain right now, but I think he'll get a chance to prove himself against all odds . Los Blancos will regroup and come back stronger next season, mark my words !

man what a bummer for Real Madrid they just can't seem to get it together this season, one minute they're on top of their game and the next thing you know they're getting thrashed by Benfica i mean carlo ancelotti needs to step up his game or he's gonna be outta there, like for real though benfica pulled off an insane comeback and i'm loving it their fans must be jumping for joy after that 17-year wait to get back into the champs league

oh man I'm so disappointed for Real Madrid's fans... it was such a heartbreaking loss! I mean, you can never give up hope right? Carlo Ancelotti is one of those managers who usually does better than this, maybe he needs to shake things up a bit. And Benfica, wow they came back like that! what an incredible comeback by Gonçalo Ramos... I wonder if Real Madrid will make some changes in the squad, because it's not looking good right now...

Can't believe Real Madrid's season is already going up in flames . Ancelotti's tactics are getting roasted and for good reason, he's stuck in the past . This defeat is a wake-up call for him to bring some fresh ideas to the team. Maybe it's time for a manager shake-up? Benfica's win is awesome though! They've worked so hard to get back into the Champions League and they deserved that comeback. Ramos is a beast !

Man that was crazy! I'm still trying to wrap my head around how Benfica came back like that. They were down, but they didn't give up. It's great for them, they deserve it after all those years out of the Champions League. But poor Real Madrid, they really dropped the ball this time. Carlo Ancelotti's under pressure now and I don't blame him if he gets the boot. They should've seen that one coming with 11 minutes to go!

OMG, what's wrong with that defence of Carlo Ancelotti? Like, come on! Real Madrid can't even get past Benfica's wall... I mean, team And now everyone's talking about his future? It's not like he hasn't had a successful stint as manager before. Anyway, gotta say, Benfica totally deserved that win. They came from behind and showed some serious grit. That comeback was insane! And yeah, Real Madrid is gonna have to regroup and try again. Maybe it's time for them to bring in some fresh blood?

real madrid's season is going from bad to worse...ancelotti needs to step up his game, can't keep relying on one or two players to make all the difference. benfica played some decent football out there too . benfica have been in this position before and came out on top so i gotta respect them for that . what's going on with that Dortmund-inter milan match tho?

man that was insane! benfica came back from being down and it's crazy what can happen in football, you know? they deserved that win . real madrid has had an up-and-down season so far and this loss is gonna hurt them big time . i feel bad for ancilotti he's been under a lot of pressure to perform and this isn't helping his case . benfica on the other hand, they've finally made it back into the champions league after that 17-year drought and now they get to move on to the next round ! it's all about bouncing back from adversity in football

omg what happened at that match ! Benfica just came out of nowhere to win it like, who saw that coming? and now Real Madrid is basically done with their group stage campaign . Carlo Ancelotti's under pressure for sure, needs some serious revamp if they wanna make a run in the competition .

anyway, Benfica's comeback was insane ! 17 years without Champions League and now they're back on the map , that's some major bragging rights . Gonçalo Ramos is like, the hero of the game . hope Real Madrid can bounce back from this though, they've got big dreams

Ugh, can't believe Real Madrid messed this up . One point from six games is just ridiculous. Ancelotti's tactics have been all over the place lately and it shows they don't have the depth to compete with top teams. I'm not surprised he's under pressure, but maybe some changes in his coaching staff would help. Benfica on the other hand, totally outplayed them . It's a shame Real Madrid won't be making it past the group stage again, feels like they always struggle against Portuguese teams. On the bright side, Benfica's comeback was insane , Gonçalo Ramos is a beast!

idk what's goin on w/ real madrid rn they're gettin roasted by benfica cant believe ancelotti cant even get em through 6 games without losin that joão félix kid is a beast tho, he literally just conjured up 3 points outta thin air gonçalo ramos's late double was just the icing on the cake anyway, benfica deserves this win they've been underdog for ages and now they're makin their mark

lol what a come back from benfica those guys deserved it more, real madrid was all over the place like a bunch of noobs ancilotti gotta go, his tactics were whack and he can't handle pressure, time for a new manager, maybe someone who knows how to win in the champs

Ugh, what's going on with Real Madrid rn? They've been one of the biggest spenders in Europe for years and they can't even qualify for the knockout phase . Carlo Ancelotti's gotta do some serious soul-searching if he wants to save his job...or at least figure out how to get his team to perform consistently . Benfica, on the other hand, totally deserved that win . They showed more heart and determination than Real Madrid all game. Can't say I'm surprised though, they've been struggling for a while now .

Real Madrid got served . Ancelotti's future is looking uncertain , but Benfica's win is a massive boost for them ! They're back in the knockout phase after 17 years out, that's wild !

Just got out of this Benfica game and I'm still reeling! 3-2 is a crazy scoreline, especially when you think Real Madrid were on top in the second half. That comeback by Benfica was like something out of a movie . Carlo Ancelotti's future at the club is looking shaky right now... can't see him hanging in there much longer . On the flip side, huge congrats to Benfica for making it back into the Champions League - 17 years is a looong time out of the competition! They must be over the moon about that . Dortmund or Inter Milan next? Either way, should be an exciting knockout stage .