Benfica manager Jose Mourinho described his Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s latest goal, which saw the Lisbon side secure a place in the last 16 of the Champions League by beating Real Madrid 4-2 on Wednesday, as a «historic» achievement.
Frustrated Real coach Alvaro Arbeloa, meanwhile, highlighted a litany of shortcomings in his side’s performances after hopes of automatic qualification were dashed and the side had to settle for a place in the two-legged play-offs.
It was an emotional evening for Mourinho at the Estadio da Luz, highlighted by an extraordinary 98th-minute header from Trubin that sent Benfica into the last 16 on goal difference.
The Portuguese manager was visibly moved as he spoke MovistarPlus after Benfica’s stunning win.
«It’s normal for me to be emotional. I think it was deserved,» Mourinho said, reflecting on the intensity of the match and the dramatic finale.
«For Benfica it is obviously an incredible prestige to beat Real Madrid. The two clubs had not met since the fantastic years, so many years ago. And now, for the prestige of Benfica, for the prestige of the players, it is something fantastic.»
Anatoliy Trubin scored Benfica’s fourth goal, a goal that took his side back to the Champions League play-offs and kept them alive in the competition. | Photo credit: REUTERS
Anatoliy Trubin scored Benfica’s fourth goal, a goal that took his side back to the Champions League play-offs and kept them alive in the competition. | Photo credit: REUTERS
The teams last played each other in the European Cup in the 1965 quarter-finals, when Benfica lost the final, and also met in the 1962 showpiece, which was won 5–3 by the Portuguese.
Mourinho was full of praise for 24-year-old Trubin, whose header from a free kick in stoppage time thrilled the crowd.
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“I knew we weren’t done yet, that 3-2 wasn’t enough, and we were lucky to get a set,” Mourinho said.
«Our goalkeeper Trubin, who is two meters tall, went into the penalty area and scored a fantastic goal, a historic goal… It felt like the stadium was about to collapse. Unbelievable.»
Real’s Arbeloa, on the other hand, was left to rue a poor performance by his side, losing a 1-0 lead and finishing with nine men after Raul Asencio and Rodrygo were sent off in extra time.
The defeat sent the fifteen-time Champions League winner to the play-off round, where it must try to save its European campaign.
«Of course we are far from happy. On the contrary,» Arbeloa said. “In a match where we knew what was at stake, we simply did not take advantage of the opportunity.
«I would like to tell you that it was only one thing that led to this defeat, but I think there were many aspects: setbacks in matches, problems with the ball and without the ball. We were far from the version of ourselves that we should be.»
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In addressing the red cards, Arbeloa said tensions boiled over. «Sometimes these are situations where you can’t control your emotions because you know what’s at stake. That’s all.»
For Mourinho, the victory was both a boost to the club’s status and its Champions League prospects.
Arbeloa must now prepare his side for the play-offs as he tries to get Real’s season back on track following the sacking of former manager Xabi Alonso and the team’s elimination from the Spanish Cup by second division club Albacete two weeks ago.
Published on January 29, 2026
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