January 29, (THEWILL) — Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a stoppage-time goal to claim a dramatic 4-2 victory over Real Madrid and clinch his side’s place in the UEFA Champions League knockout-stage play-off round.
The 98th-minute diving header from Fredrik Aursnes’ free-kick sent the Estadio da Luz into euphoria and denied Madrid automatic qualification for the last 16.
Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring on the half-hour mark with a powerful header, his 12th Champions League goal of the group or league phase, the most by any player in the competition’s history.
Andreas Schjelderup equalised six minutes later before Vangelis Pavlidis converted a penalty on the stroke of half-time after Aurelien Tchouameni brought down Nicolas Otamendi.
Schjelderup struck again early in the second half before Mbappe reduced the deficit four minutes later from Arda Guler’s cutback.
Thibaut Courtois produced brilliant saves to deny Leandro Barreiro and earlier efforts from Gianluca Prestianni and Heorhii Sudakov, whilst Trubin thwarted Mbappe at the opposite end.
Madrid finished with nine men after Raul Asencio and Rodrygo received dismissals in stoppage time, giving Benfica a two-man advantage for the closing moments.
Jose Mourinho’s return to his former club ended in triumph, with Benfica needing one more goal to overtake Marseille on goal difference and securing it through their goalkeeper’s heroics.
Madrid must now settle for the play-off round after Sporting CP’s late winner against Athletic Club.
Álvaro Arbeloa’s side could face an immediate rematch against Benfica or a tie with Bodo/Glimt in the next round of the competition.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
