The reason Kylian Mbappe’s hat-trick goal during his side's 4-2 loss to Benfica was disallowed on Wednesday night has now emerged, after Real Madrid TV demanded an explanation in the aftermath of one of the best games in this season’s Champions League so far. Jose Mourinho's side secured the final playoff position on goal difference thanks to a header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in the 98th minute.
A dramatic crescendo at the Estadio da Luz also saw Raul Asencio and Rodrygo receive red cards as Real Madrid, under caretaker manager Alvaro Arbeloa, lost all composure in their desperate efforts to stay inside the top eight in the final gameweek and qualify directly for the Round of 16, without needing an extra match to confirm it.
In the end, they finished ninth, one point behind Barcelona in fifth, showing just how fine the margins were. One of the key turning points was when Mbappe was denied his third goal of the night, which only encouraged Benfica to kick on and win in emphatic fashion. But while RMTV demanded an explanation, one has now been given, with the laws of the game supporting the referee's decision.
Law Reveals Why Mbappe's Hat-trick Goal Was Ruled Out Against Benfica
Kylian Mbappe vs Benfica
While RMTV were convinced the Frenchman's goal should have stood, remarking during their live broadcast: "Why was Mbappe's 3rd goal ruled out by the ref? What's the explanation?" one replay of the incident, for many neutrals, was enough to show exactly why it was disallowed, with him interfering with the goalkeeper's ability to get the ball rolling again after having it in both hands. Watch the incident from 4:27 below:
But if that wasn't enough to justify the referee's decision, Law 12 of the IFAB's Laws of the Game states that an indirect free-kick will be given if:
"A player prevents the goalkeeper from releasing the ball from the hands or kicks or attempts to kick the ball when the goalkeeper is in the process of releasing it."
Given that Mbappe stood just a few short metres away from Trubin before interfering with his ability to release the ball, the Frenchman very clearly breached the rules of the game.
Mourinho's Benfica Pull Off Memorable Victory
Benfica coach Jose Mourinho and Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa
Mourinho revealed Benfica’s late surge against Real Madrid came after confusion over the score needed to reach the Champions League play-offs. Real Madrid twice led through Mbappe, but Benfica hit back via Andreas Schjelderup’s brace and Vangelis Pavlidis’ penalty to go 3-2 up.
Believing that was enough, Mourinho initially tried to protect the lead with substitutions, only later realizing another goal was required. Nicolas Otamendi was pushed up front, and in the dying moments, goalkeeper Trubin went forward for a late free kick - a gamble that paid off as he headed home to seal qualification. Watch the goal below:
Explaining the confusion, Mourinho said, as per The Sun: “When I substituted António Silva and Ivanovic, I had no idea if 3-2 was enough. I just want to close the door and I think it’s enough. When I was told we needed one more goal, honestly I was upset. I was thinking, ‘Why was I not told a few seconds before?’
“When we realised it wasn’t enough, and they were down to ten men, I sent Nico [Otamendi] to play up front. When the foul came, I sent Trubin forward and Dahl to stay in midfield. The little guy stayed back here. We kept the pride because that was my challenge to the players before the game: ‘If we don’t qualify, we have to win – if we don’t qualify, we don’t qualify, but we have to win.’
“That was the pride behind the attitude. I would be happy the same, winning the way we did against Real Madrid and being out. I would be happy the same.”