LONDON — Real Madrid missed out on automatic qualification for the Champions League knockout rounds as they crumbled to a 4-2 defeat at Benfica on a frenetic final night of group-stage action across Europe on Wednesday.

Kylian Mbappé’s goal had put the 15-time winner on course for the win it needed to secure a top eight finish, but its night ended in chaos as Jose Mourinho’s Benfica roared back.

Benfica was still heading for elimination despite leading 3-2 but goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored its fourth goal in the 98th minute — a header that meant the Portuguese giants crept into the playoffs on goal difference in 24th spot.

Real, who began the night third but ended it ninth and could face Norwegian upstarts Bodo/Glimt in the playoffs, also had Raul Asencio and Rodrygo sent off in stoppage time.

Holders Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) also slipped out of the top eight as it could only draw 1-1 at home to Newcastle United — a result that left both sides facing a playoff despite starting the final night in the automatic places.

Liverpool thrashed Qarabag 6-0 to end its group campaign in style and finish in third place — Alexis Mac Allister scoring twice and Mohamed Salah also among the goals.

Barcelona began the evening in ninth spot but spared itself a playoff tie as it came from a goal down to beat Copenhagen, 4-1. Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Marcus Rashford ensured they finished fifth, one place behind surprise package Tottenham Hotspur who won 2-0 at Eintracht Frankfurt.

Chelsea trailed 2-1 at Napoli but two goals by Joao Pedro earned it a 3-2 win to clinch sixth spot while defeat left Napoli down and out in 30th place.

That meant five of the six English clubs are in the last 16 and could yet be joined by Newcastle.

DRAMA GALORE
Portugal’s Sporting grabbed a last-gasp 3-2 win at Athletic Bilbao thanks to a goal by Alisson Santos to snatch a top eight spot and effectively relegate Real Madrid to the playoffs.

Manchester City beat Galatasaray, 2-0, at home to jump from 11th to eighth and spare itself a repeat of last season when it failed to reach the last 16 after losing to Real Madrid in the playoffs.

Arsenal, who like Bayern Munich was already assured of a top eight finish, became the first club in the new 36-team group format to finish with a 100% record, beating bottom club Kairat Almaty, 3-2. Runners-up Bayern ended with a 2-1 victory at PSV Eindhoven that left the Dutch club eliminated.

Just like last season, UEFA’s expanded Champions League group stage has proved a masterstroke with the suspense lasting to the final seconds of the eighth round of fixtures.

Before the 18 matches kicked off only four of the 36 clubs were definitely eliminated and only Arsenal and Bayern Munich were guaranteed to be in the last 16.

Several who started outside the top eight needed wins and other results to go in their favor with Barcelona, Manchester City and Sporting seizing their chance.

Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki were on target for City.

Inter Milan got the win it required, beating Borussia Dortmund 2-0 away but, like fellow Italians Juventus, will have to take its chances in the playoffs.

Juventus could only draw 0-0 at Monaco. Dortmund missed out on being seeded for the playoffs, ending 17th.

Nowhere was the drama more compelling than at Atletico Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium where Diego Simeone’s side hosted Norway’s Bodo/Glimt. Atletico led through Alexander Sorloth’s goal and at one point were into the top eight but Bodo, who stunned Manchester City last week, hit back with goals by Fredrik Sjovold and Kasper Hogh for a remarkable 2-1 win to put the Arctic Circle debutants in 23rd and into the playoffs. — Reuters

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR