Mbappe Makes History in Champions League Despite Real Madrid's Defeat
French international striker Kylian Mbappe has etched his name into the UEFA Champions League record books, surpassing a milestone previously held by Portuguese legend Cristiano Ronaldo. The remarkable achievement came during Real Madrid's 4-2 defeat against Benfica at the Estadio da Luz on Wednesday, January 28, 2026.
Record-Breaking Performance in Lisbon
Despite Los Blancos suffering a disappointing loss that pushed them out of the top eight positions and into the playoff zone, Mbappe delivered a stunning individual performance. The former Paris Saint-Germain forward scored a brace to bring his total to 13 goals in this season's Champions League group stage, overtaking Ronaldo's previous record of 11 goals set during the 2015/16 campaign.
The match unfolded dramatically from the opening whistle. Mbappe opened the scoring in the 30th minute, finishing a precise cross from Raul Asencio to give Real Madrid an early advantage. However, Benfica responded quickly with Andreas Schjelderup equalizing just six minutes later through a clinical counter-attack.
Just before halftime, the Portuguese side took the lead when Vangelis Pavlidis converted a penalty in the 45+5 minute. Schjelderup then completed his own brace in the 54th minute, giving Benfica a commanding 3-1 advantage that seemed to put the match beyond Real Madrid's reach.
Mbappe's Moment of Brilliance
Showing why he's considered one of world football's elite talents, Mbappe reignited Madrid's hopes just four minutes later. The French international converted a clever pass from Arda Guler with a composed finish beyond the goalkeeper, bringing the score to 3-2 and keeping the visitors in contention.
The match took another dramatic turn during stoppage time when Real Madrid's Raul Asencio and Rodrygo were both shown straight red cards, reducing the Spanish giants to just nine men. In the 90+8 minute, Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin found the back of the net to seal a famous 4-2 victory for the Portuguese side, capping off an unforgettable night at the Estadio da Luz.
Mixed Reactions to the Record
Football fans have expressed mixed reactions to Mbappe's achievement, with some emphasizing the specific nature of the record. One supporter noted that while Mbappe has surpassed Ronaldo's group stage scoring record, the Portuguese icon still holds numerous all-time Champions League records including most goals in a single season (17), all-time top scorer status, and most knockout and finals goals.
Another fan celebrated Mbappe's accomplishment, calling him a "goal machine no matter what" and praising his consistent scoring ability. The debate highlights how individual achievements can sometimes be overshadowed by team results in the world of competitive football.
Mbappe's Post-Match Assessment
Following the disappointing result, Mbappe expressed his frustration with Real Madrid's performance, particularly criticizing the team's inconsistency. The French star stated that Benfica displayed greater fighting spirit throughout the match, playing "for their lives" while Madrid lacked the same intensity.
"Today wasn't a matter of tactics or quality," Mbappe explained. "It was a matter of having more fighting spirit than the opponent. I saw Benfica play for their lives, and I didn't see that from us. We can't keep being this inconsistent. We can't keep doing this 'day on, day off' thing, it's not what champions do."
The 27-year-old forward specifically mentioned the final goal conceded as "a disgrace for us," emphasizing the need for greater consistency as Real Madrid prepares for the Champions League playoff rounds.
Historical Context and Future Implications
Mbappe's record-breaking performance comes just weeks after he scored twice in Real Madrid's 6-1 victory over Monaco on January 20, moving the Spanish club within a point of automatic qualification for the knockout rounds. The French international has been closing in on records set by both Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi throughout the current Champions League campaign.
Despite the team's setback against Benfica, Mbappe's individual achievement marks another significant milestone in his already impressive career. As Real Madrid regroups for the playoff phase of the competition, all eyes will be on whether the French star can maintain his scoring form and help guide his team through the knockout stages of Europe's premier club competition.
