Kylian Mbappé etched his name into UEFA Champions League history on Wednesday night after scoring for Real Madrid against Benfica, becoming the first player ever to reach 12 goals pre-knockout stages of the competition.
The landmark goal came during Real Madrid’s 2–1 victory over Benfica at the Estádio da Luz in the eighth and final round of the league phase, further underlining Mbappé’s extraordinary impact in his debut Champions League campaign with the Spanish giants.
Mbappé achieved the record after just seven matches, setting a new benchmark in the competition’s history.
His goal tally this season has been spread across a series of standout performances: two goals against Marseille, a hat-trick versus Kairat Almaty, a four-goal haul against Olympiacos, two goals against Monaco, and his latest strike against Benfica.
The French forward’s stunning Champions League form reflects a wider trend of excellence this season.
Mbappé has now scored 40 goals in all competitions for club and country, including 35 for Real Madrid and five for the French national team.
Real Madrid entered the match determined to secure qualification for the round of 16 without the need for a playoff.
The win lifted Carlo Ancelotti’s side to 15 points, placing them third in the league-phase standings and confirming their direct passage to the knockout stage.
Mbappé’s record-breaking feat adds another chapter to an already glittering career and reinforces his status as one of the defining players of the modern Champions League era, as Real Madrid continue their pursuit of yet another European crown.
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