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Benfica stuns Real Madrid with stoppage-time keeper goal
Lisbon's Estadio da Luz erupted on Wednesday when goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin headed home a last-gasp free-kick to seal a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid and propel Benfica into the Champions League play-offs.
Trubin's historic strike
With the match deep into added time and Benfica leading 3-2 but still facing elimination on goal difference, Trubin joined the attack for a set-piece. His powerful header found the net, sparking wild celebrations among players and fans alike.
"A fantastic goal, a historic goal-one that nearly brought the whole stadium down," said manager Jose Mourinho. "For Benfica, beating Real Madrid carries incredible prestige."
"I don't know what to say. A crazy moment. I'm not used to scoring-this is my first time at 24 years old."
Anatoly Trubin
Mourinho's rollercoaster return
Mourinho's second stint at Benfica has been turbulent. Despite an unbeaten domestic league record, the club trails Porto by 10 points and exited the domestic cup in January. In Europe, Benfica lost their first four Champions League group-stage matches before rallying with wins over Ajax and Napoli.
"Everything hasn't really worked out since taking over," noted analyst Julien Laurens. "But tonight's win rewrote the narrative-especially against Mourinho's former club and his protégé, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa."
Narrow escape from elimination
Trubin's goal was Benfica's fourth of the night, leapfrogging Marseille in the standings. Minutes earlier, the Ukrainian keeper had appeared unaware of the stakes, kneeling to waste time after a save-only to learn his team still needed another goal to advance.
"Before, I didn't understand what we needed," Trubin admitted. "Then I saw everyone pointing at me and went forward."
What's next for Benfica
Real Madrid finished ninth in the group stage, setting up a 50% chance of a play-off rematch with Benfica. The alternative? A tie against Inter Milan, where Mourinho won the Champions League in 2010.
"I can't say I prefer one or the other," Mourinho said. "Going to Madrid or Milan-I like both."
Pep Guardiola, whose Manchester City side benefited from Benfica's win, joked: "A good strategy for Jose to score the fourth goal, right!"
