Real Madrid were stunned in Lisbon as Benfica won 4-2, with goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scoring in stoppage time to keep the hosts alive in Europe.
Real Madrid were left stunned in Lisbon as Benfica beat them 4-2 in a Champions League night that defied logic and expectations. The Spanish giants looked set to progress comfortably despite defeat. Benfica, however, needed something extraordinary to stay alive. That moment arrived deep into stoppage time from the most unlikely source. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin delivered it.
The final round of the league phase created rare tension across Europe. Benfica entered the night outside the play off places on goal difference. Even a win over Madrid was not guaranteed to be enough. Real, meanwhile, were chasing a top eight finish to avoid extra knockout games. Both teams had clear reasons to attack.
Real Madrid took the lead on 30 minutes through Kylian Mbappe. Raul Asencio’s cross was met with a calm header that silenced the home crowd. It was a familiar sight in Europe. Madrid had absorbed pressure and struck with quality. Yet they never fully controlled the rhythm.
Benfica responded quickly and with purpose. Andreas Schjelderup equalised after a defensive slip allowed Vangelis Pavlidis to cross. The home side moved the ball sharply and pressed with intensity. Just before half time they turned pressure into a lead. Pavlidis converted a penalty after Nicolas Otamendi was brought down.
Schjelderup added his second goal early after the restart, finishing low past Thibaut Courtois. At 3-1 Benfica looked comfortable. Madrid responded almost immediately through Mbappe’s second of the night. His finish made it 3-2 and set up a frantic finale. The momentum shifted with every attack.
Benfica finished with more shots and a higher expected goals figure. Madrid still carried threat through Mbappe and Arda Guler. Both sides traded chances in an open contest. Trubin was forced into several saves before his defining moment. Discipline deserted Madrid late as Raul Asencio and Rodrygo were sent off.
As stoppage time ticked away Benfica were winning but still heading out. A late free kick offered one final chance. Trubin was waved forward, unaware at first of the full equation. Fredrik Aursnes delivered the ball into the box. Trubin rose highest and powered a header past Courtois in the 98th minute.
The goal dropped Real Madrid from the top eight into ninth. Automatic qualification slipped away in an instant. They now face a two-legged play off despite strong overall results. The sight of a goalkeeper scoring against them summed up a chaotic night. It was not a collapse, but it was a shock.
Benfica squeezed into the play offs at the expense of Marseille. Mourinho claimed his first win over Real Madrid as a manager. Madrid remain contenders but now face added risk and fixtures. Both sides could yet meet again. This time, belief will not be lacking on either side.
