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
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
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.”
Bayern Munich are exploring a shock summer move to sign Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha, according to a breaking update from Athletic journalist David Ornstein.
Liverpool have only just appointed Andoni Iraola as their new manager, and they are working on incoming signings following summer exits for three of their key players in Andy Robertson, Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate.
The Reds are already working hard on a deal to sign RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande as Salah’s successor at Anfield, and they lead the race for his signature after the positive steps that have been taken on player side, according to Ornstein.
The Merseyside outfit want to add to their attack rather than lose players from it, but Bayern clearly have different ideas as they look to bolster their frontline ahead of next season.
Ornstein: Bayern Munich Exploring Rio Ngumoha Move
In a surprise update on Friday evening, Ornstein claims that Bayern are exploring a move for Ngumoha, with the Liverpool winger their primary target as they look to bring in a left-sided forward during the summer.
The 17-year-old is aware of the Bundesliga giants’ pursuit even though there has been no contact between the clubs yet, although Liverpool insist their teenage sensation is not for sale and they want to add to the squad rather than weakening it in the coming months.
Andoni Iraola’s appointment at Liverpool has many fans hoping to see a return to the type of football Jurgen Klopp embedded at Anfield during his nine-year reign.
Arne Slot’s more controlled style of play ended up being unsuccessful in his second campaign at the club, and ultimately led to his sacking. Iraola has impressed at Bournemouth, taking them from relegation favourites to European football in just three years.
While he has an incredibly difficult task getting anywhere near Klopp’s legacy on Merseyside, he may even excel more than the popular German in some areas. According to one man who has played under both managers, at least.
Andoni Iraola Elevated Former Liverpool Star
England international Dominic Solanke spent two years under Klopp at Liverpool after joining from Chelsea in 2017. The striker was expected to go on to big things, but only managed 27 appearances for the Reds, playing second fiddle to Roberto Firmino.
He was still young when Bournemouth came knocking in 2019, signing him for £19 million. While that was still four years before Iraola would even appear at the Vitality Stadium, the Spanish coach took him to a new level.
Doubts have emerged once again over Arne Slot’s position at Liverpool manager heading into the summer.
Solanke had two very good goalscoring seasons in the Championship following the Cherries’ relegation. However, there was still a question mark over whether he could translate that to the top-flight. His first season back in the Premier League saw the Englishman only net six times.
Iraola then joined the next summer (2023) and immediately turned Solanke into a prolific goalscorer. He found the net 19 times in the league in the Spaniard’s first term and earned a £65 million move to Tottenham.
Dominic Solanke Raved About Iraola at Bournemouth
In a December 2023 interview with The Times, Solanke credited Iraola’s style of play for his upturn in form. He did admit the players struggled to take his approach on board at first, saying: “We couldn’t take in all the information at first.”
He explained how it took time to adjust, before everything became second-nature: “For me, I’m pressing with a No.10 behind me and, at first, our timing was off. We didn’t know when to press or to drop, but now it’s second nature as the manager has gone through it many times and it’s embedded in our heads and we are all on the same wavelength. It’s natural now.”
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The five-cap England international spoke glowingly about his old boss’ man-management: “Iraola’s really good with the players. We all get on really well with him. He’s easy to talk to. He’s very detailed in his tactics so we have a lot of meetings. He’s always willing to speak separately to make sure everyone’s on board.”
The part that will now excite Liverpool fans the most is how Solanke credited Iraola’s high-pressing tactics as a big factor in his success at Bournemouth. The forward explained:
“Part of my success is because the manager loves pressing high. I’m high up the pitch, in the centre of the goal much of the time, and not having to drop back too much and am finding myself in good positions, more than last season probably.
“The manager’s style definitely suits me.”
Statistics in this article are courtesy of Transfermarkt. Correct as of 05-06-26.
Tottenham Hotspur have submitted a £120,000-a-week contract offer to Manchester City forward Savinho, according to a reliable insider.
Having staved off the threat of relegation, Tottenham now look ready to make a real statement in the summer transfer market.
Not only do Spurs chiefs need to back the manager who saved them from dropping into the Championship, but they need to build a squad that significantly improves on two successive 17th-placed finishes in the Premier League.
After two disappointing seasons, it is imperative and likely that there will be a number of player exits, but Roberto De Zerbi will also want to add multiple new faces to his team too.
Tottenham have already agreed their first two signings of the summer, both on free transfers, in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi following their exits from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively.
There had been some talk that Liverpool could hijack the Senesi deal after Andonio Iraola’s appointment at Anfield, but that has been played down by GIVEMESPORT sources.
Changes to the north London outfit’s frontline are also likely, with Randal Kolo Muani returning to Paris Saint-Germain following his loan spell, while doubts have been raised over the futures of Mathys Tel and Richarlison.
Tottenham Confident of Reaching Savinho Agreement
Premier League – Aston Villa v Manchester City – Villa Park, Birmingham, Britain – October 26, 2025 Manchester City’s Savinho reacts REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
Tottenham wanted to sign Savinho from Manchester City last summer but a deal ultimately failed to materialise.
Now, Spurs are back in for him, and they want to get a transfer over the line this time around with a move progressing, according to Fabrizio Romano.
According to one reliable City insider account on X, the north London outfit have offered the Brazilian a deal worth around £120,000-a-week to move to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
The ‘extraordinary’ 22-year-old’s salary went up to £92,000-a-week, plus bonuses, last summer following Spurs’ interest, with City informing their Premier League rivals they would need to pay in excess of £60m to land a top target.
Nevertheless, there is ‘confidence’ that an agreement will be reached between all parties.
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Savinho Signing Would Raise More Questions Over Mathys Tel
If Savinho does arrive at Tottenham in a big-money swoop, you would assume he would immediately lock down the left-wing position in De Zerbi’s starting XI.
That would instantly raise question marks over Mathys Tel’s role in the team moving forward, even though De Zerbi has labelled him as a ‘big talent’.
The Frenchman is able to play as a striker as well as on the left-hand side, but it was the latter position that he featured in mostly for Spurs in the final weeks of the season, with Richarlison and Dominic Solanke preferred in the centre-forward position, when the latter was fit.
Spurs could look to bring in a new striker this summer and if Savinho also arrives, then it might be the bench at best for Tel at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
One report this week has suggested that the player is looking to leave the club after just 12 months, with Bournemouth and FC Porto already making enquiries about signing the 21-year-old.
He scored four goals in 31 Premier League appearances for Tottenham this season.
