Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin delivered one of the most extraordinary moments in Champions League history, scoring a 98th‑minute header to propel Benfica into the knockout stages with a dramatic 4-2 victory over Real Madrid on Wednesday.
With seconds remaining in stoppage time, Benfica were still facing elimination despite leading 3-2. Then came the moment that changed everything. Trubin surged forward for a final free-kick, rose above the defence and headed home the goal Benfica desperately needed to qualify for the playoff round on goal difference.
The goal not only saved Benfica’s European campaign but also denied Real Madrid an automatic place in the last 16. Madrid finished with 15 points from eight matches, falling short of the top-eight cutoff, and ended the night with nine men after Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo were both sent off.
Benfica’s earlier goals came from a brace by Andreas Schjelderup and a Vangelis Pavlidis penalty, while Kylian Mbappé struck twice for Real Madrid in a thrilling, end-to-end contest.
But the night belonged to Trubin. His last-gasp header turned looming heartbreak into jubilation, sealing qualification in the most dramatic fashion and underlining just how much was riding on one final touch.
WHAT MOURINHO SAID
"I knew we weren't through yet, that 3-2 wasn't enough, and we were lucky with a set piece. Our goalkeeper Trubin, who is two metres tall, went into the box and scored a fantastic goal, a historic goal ... It felt like the stadium was going to collapse. Incredible," said Mourinho.