Anatoliy Trubin Scores Last-Gasp Goal as Benfica Stun Real Madrid in Chaotic European Night

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scores a dramatic 98th-minute header against Real Madrid, sealing a 4-2 win and sending José Mourinho’s side into the European playoff round in unforgettable fashion.
European football delivered another unforgettable night as Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin became the unlikely hero in a dramatic 4-2 victory over Real Madrid, scoring a stoppage-time header that sent José Mourinho’s side into the playoff places of the competition’s new Swiss-style league phase.
Goalkeeper Goal Stuns Real Madrid
With Benfica leading 3-2 deep into added time, the Portuguese side still needed one more goal to climb into the top 24 and secure a playoff berth. In the 98th minute, Trubin sprinted into the Real Madrid penalty area for a last-gasp set piece — a move usually reserved for desperate moments when a team is trailing, not leading.
The Ukrainian goalkeeper met the delivery with a powerful downward header that beat Thibaut Courtois, sparking wild celebrations inside the Estádio da Luz. It was the first goal of Trubin’s professional career, and he later dedicated it to Ukraine, calling it an emotional moment he would never forget.
Mourinho’s Gamble Pays Off
The goal completed a chaotic sequence on the touchline for José Mourinho, who had moments earlier made defensive substitutions after being incorrectly informed that a 3-2 win would be enough. When he learned Benfica still needed another goal, there was no time left for further tactical changes.
Instead, Mourinho relied on the oldest gamble in football — sending “the big guy” forward. This time, it worked to perfection.
The result means Benfica now face one of Mourinho’s former clubs — either Real Madrid again or Inter — in the playoff round as the competition moves into its knockout phase.
A Night of European Drama
The dramatic finish in Lisbon capped one of the most unpredictable evenings of the tournament so far. With 18 matches played simultaneously, qualification positions shifted constantly throughout the night.
Elsewhere:
• Five English clubs secured places in the top eight
• Newcastle United narrowly missed automatic qualification after a draw in Paris
• Napoli, the Italian champions, were eliminated after a home defeat to Chelsea
• Sporting scored late to leap into the top eight, pushing Real Madrid down the standings
The draw for the knockout rounds will take place in Nyon, with several heavyweight clashes already looming depending on playoff outcomes.
Trubin’s Moment of a Lifetime
For Trubin, who joined Benfica from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2023, the goal was more than just a qualification decider. Still only 24, he described the moment as “crazy” and admitted he had no idea what to say after scoring.
Goalkeepers rarely become match-winners at the elite European level. On this night, however, Anatoliy Trubin wrote himself into Benfica folklore, delivering one of the most memorable moments of the season — and possibly the entire competition.