Goalkeeper’s last-gasp header hands Mourinho’s side 4-2 win and place in last 16
London: Real Madrid were sensationally pushed into the Champions League knockout playoffs after a chaotic 4-2 defeat to Benfica, as Jose Mourinho’s side snatched qualification into the last 16 with an extraordinary stoppage-time goal from their goalkeeper.
Madrid began the night third in the 36-team standings and twice struck back through Kylian Mbappe, but discipline and control deserted them in Lisbon. Reduced to nine men after late red cards for Raul Asencio and Rodrygo, Madrid were punished in the eighth minute of stoppage time when Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin rose to head home a dramatic winner, sparking wild celebrations inside the Estadio da Luz.
The goal lifted Benfica into 24th place on goal difference, just enough to reach the knockout phase, while Madrid slipped to ninth — agonisingly one place outside the top eight that qualify directly for the round of 16.
“This victory is historic and important,” Mourinho said, hailing the unlikely heroics of his goalkeeper. Trubin later described it as a “crazy moment” and the first goal of his career at 24.
Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa admitted his side fell short. “They have outplayed us. We’ve been far from the version we should be,” he said.
Elsewhere, Barcelona completed a strong recovery to secure a top-eight finish, overturning a halftime deficit to beat Copenhagen 4-1, with goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha and Marcus Rashford.
Liverpool also cruised safely through, dismantling Qarabag 6-0 at Anfield, Mohamed Salah among the scorers, to underline their authority as the league phase concluded.
