On a night of wild drama in the UEFA Champions League league phase finale, Benfica produced one of the most outrageous moments in recent European football history when their goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, scored a last-minute winning goal to take his side through to the knockout rounds. The shocking finish not only sealed a 4-2 win over Real Madrid but also reshaped the qualification picture, with the Spanish giants failing to finish in the top eight automatic spots and having to enter the playoff round.
A night of chaos in UCL Matchday 8
The final round of fixtures in the expanded UEFA Champions League league phase unfolded with high stakes across all 18 matches, as teams fought for direct qualification to the round of 16. Benfica’s match against Real Madrid at the Estádio da Luz in Lisbon quickly became one of the most consequential games of the evening, with permutations everywhere and qualification scenarios shifting with every goal from elsewhere in Europe.
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Goals & twists in Lisbon
Real Madrid struck first through Kylian Mbappé, giving the visitors the early lead and seemingly putting their qualification hopes on solid footing. Benfica battled back with a goal through Andreas Schjelderup and then with Vangelis Pavlidis converted a penalty to give them the lead. They made it 3-1 in 54th minute before Madrid responded again through Mbappe. The seesaw contest featured multiple lead changes, making for a tense finish as both teams pushed for the win that would decide who advanced.
Goalkeeper who became the unlikely hero
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, Benfica were still looking for a goal which would help them improve their goal difference and seal their place in next stage of Champions League. In a moment that stunned fans across Europe, Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin joined the attack for a freekick as instructed by Jose Mourinho, as his side threw numbers forward in search of a decisive goal. In dramatic fashion, Trubin connected with a cross inside the box and powered home a header, a rare sight for any keeper, let alone in the Champions League, to make it 4–2 in Benfica’s favour. The stadium erupted as the goal secured their place in the knockout rounds against all odds.
What a crazy night!
It was a topsy-turvy matchday in UCL as a lot of drama happened on the points table. While Barcelona & Chelsea came from behind to seal their place in top 8, Benfica were heading towards an exit despite the win over Real Madrid, but their goalkeeper ensured that it would actually become a very famous night for the club.
For Real Madrid, the defeat was a stunning blow. Entering the night in a position that looked comfortable for a top-eight finish, the loss combined with other results meant they slipped outside the automatic qualification spots. Rather than progressing directly to the round of 16, Los Blancos must now navigate the playoff round, a stark contrast to their usual Champions League pedigree and a humbling end to the league phase.
