Champions League: Lille shock Real Madrid, end team's 36-match unbeaten run

French side Lille stunned defending champions Real Madrid with a 1-0 home victory in the Champions League group phase. This brought an end to Madrid's 36-match unbeaten streak in all competitions.

In Short

• Real Madrid suffer their first loss of the season
• French side Lille beat Real Madrid 1-0 in Champions League
• The loss marks an end to Real Madrid's 36-match unbeaten streak

Lille stunned defending champions Real Madrid with a 1-0 home victory in the Champions League group phase on Wednesday, October 2, halting the 15-time European Cup winners' impressive 36-match unbeaten streak across all competitions. Jonathan David converted a penalty just before halftime, three minutes into stoppage time, marking Real's first defeat since January. The result also ended Madrid's remarkable 14-game unbeaten run in the Champions League.

With this win, Ligue 1 side Lille now has three points from two matches in the revamped format of Europe’s premier club competition, matching Real's points after they won their opening game against VfB Stuttgart.

On his penalty, David remarked, "I try to focus, to keep calm to take a good shot, but I'm confident when it comes to taking penalties. It has not sunk in yet, but it's a memorable night."

Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin acknowledged the team's lack of usual intensity. "It's difficult to analyse right after. We lacked aggression, creativity—what we always have," he stated. "In the second half, we showed more desire, but in the first half we were worse, that's obvious. We want to win because we know what colours we're playing in. But that's OK. Courage, keep working and prepare for the next game."

Carlo Ancelotti’s squad saw Kylian Mbappe, who recently transferred from Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain, start on the bench due to a muscle injury sustained last week.

Real's Vinicius Jr. had the first significant chance of the match with a low shot in the sixth minute, followed by a close-range attempt from Endrick that was blocked by Lille's Lucas Chevalier.

Lille nearly broke the deadlock after 26 minutes when Lunin pulled off a stunning double save, first denying David’s header and then parrying his follow-up shot.

The hosts finally found their breakthrough in stoppage time when Eduardo Camavinga handled Edon Zhegrova's free kick. Following a VAR review, David confidently slotted home the resulting penalty.

In the second half, Lille maintained their pressure, refusing to retreat as Real Madrid enjoyed possession and attempted to cut off the supply to England midfielder Jude Bellingham.

Ancelotti responded by introducing Mbappe and Luka Modric to replace Endrick and Eder Militao, but Lille held firm against a late onslaught from Real to secure the surprising victory.