Mourinho’s magic keeps Benfica in the Champions League race and pushes Real Madrid into the play-offs

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored an astonishing header in the 98th minute as Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 on Wednesday to keep themselves in the Champions League, automatically denying their illustrious opponent a place in the last 16.

In an extraordinary final, the Portuguese side went out despite leading 3-2 with seconds of stoppage time remaining before Trubin stepped up for a free-kick to score the goal needed to sneak into the play-off round on goal difference.

That led to wild celebrations among Benfica players, fans and their charismatic coach Jose Mourinho – a former Real Madrid manager – at the Stadium of Light in Lisbon.

The Spaniards had hoped to finish in the top eight and progress straight to the last 16, but their fifteen points from eight games were not enough as they finished the match with nine men, with Raul Asencio and Rodrygo sent off.

Andreas Schjelderup scored two goals for Benfica and Vangelis Pavlidis scored from the penalty spot, while Kylian Mbappe scored twice for Real in a hugely entertaining, end-to-end match.

Benfica advanced at the expense of Marseille, which lost 0-3 to Club Brugge. The giant screen at the stadium in Belgium congratulated both teams on their passage to the next stage, but that proved premature when Trubin turned the tables.

Exciting finale

Both Benfica and Real needed a goal in the dying minutes for different reasons, and it is a testament to the match format that a single goal could have such a dramatic effect on the table.

Benfica were denied two strong early penalties, and Real took the lead 30 minutes into the game when Asencio’s cross was headed in at the back post by Mbappe.

The home side leveled six minutes later when Asencio’s slip in the wet conditions allowed Pavlidis to deliver a perfect cross for Schjelderup to head into the net.

Benfica were awarded a penalty in first-half extra time when Aurelien Tchouameni was found to have dragged Nicolas Otamendi to the ground and Pavlidis buried his spot-kick.

Schjelderup scored his second of the match with Pavlidis’ perfect pass to make it 3-1, before Mbappé also netted his second goal, his 36th goal of the season in all competitions.

Benfica were still outside the top 24 when they were awarded a free-kick on virtually the last move, and Fredrik Aursnes’ ball was headed in by ⁠Trubin to complete an evening of drama in Lisbon.

Published on January 29, 2026