Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappé stated his team “did not play to win” following their 2-2 draw with Benfica in Lisbon on Wednesday. Despite scoring both goals for his side, the French striker said the result was a fair reflection of the match.
Benfica secured a point with a late equalizer, a outcome Mbappé believed was deserved. “In football, games start at minute 0, not 45,” he said after the match. “The defeat was deserved. I can’t say it wasn’t because we didn’t play to win this match. We didn’t play well, and they did.”
He acknowledged the challenge of facing Benfica at their home ground but placed responsibility on his own team. “Benfica at home is always difficult. We knew that beforehand, and I think it was our fault.”
Mbappé pointed to attitude as the key difference on the night. “The first balls and the duels they win aren’t a matter of quality or tactics, but of having more desire than the opponent,” he explained. “It was clear that Benfica were fighting for their lives, but it wasn’t clear that we were. That was the big problem.”
With the draw, Mbappé’s Champions League goal tally for the season reached 13. While the result did not prevent Real Madrid from advancing, the performance left a mark.
Looking ahead, the striker hinted at a potential return and a change in mindset. “We’ll see what happens, but it’s possible we’ll come back here,” Mbappé said. “And if so, we’ll return with a different intention.”