Jose Mourinho executed his latest miracle against Real Madrid in the Champions League when he sent his goalkeeper to the opponent box in dying minutes, resulting in a goal and a spot in the playoffs.
It was a moment of magic as Benfica manager Jose Mourinho sent his goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin into Real Madrid’s box for a free-kick in the dying minutes of the extra time in the UEFA Champions League match at Lisbon on Wednesday. Mourinho’s team was already leading 3-2 against his former side, but they needed to win 4-2 for a place in the Champions League last-16.
Luckily, Benfica earned a free-kick in the dying minutes of the injury time, which was extended due to a red card to Real’s Raul Asencio in the 92nd minute. Finally, in the 98th minute, when Fredrik Aursnes whipped in a free-kick from the right side, it was Ukrainian goalkeeper Trubin who jumped the highest and buried the goal in the net, helping Benfica snatch a last-16 spot on goal difference.
Ukrainian commentary on Trubin’s 98th minute goal against Real Madrid that sent them to the Round of 32.pic.twitter.com/pdQnPDStny
— Troll Football Media (@TrollFootball2) January 29, 2026
But Real Madrid failed to secure automatic qualification and would have to play the two-legged playoffs.
“I knew we weren’t through yet, that 3-2 wasn’t enough, and we were lucky with a set piece,” Mourinho said. “Our goalkeeper Trubin, who is two metres tall, went into the box and scored a fantastic goal, a historic goal … It felt like the stadium was going to collapse. Incredible.”
Mourinho magic sees Benfica reach UCL last 16 playoffs
Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa was naturally livid as the 15-time Champions League winners will now have to take part in the playoffs.
“Of course we are far from happy. Quite the contrary,” Arbeloa said. “In a match where we knew what was at stake, we simply didn’t rise to the occasion.
“I’d like to tell you that it was just one thing that led to this defeat, but I think there were many aspects – adversity in duels, issues with the ball and without the ball. We were a long way from the version of ourselves that we should be.”
Earlier in the match, Real’s Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the 30th minute and added another in the second half, while Andreas Schjelderup scored the first goal for Benfica in the 36th minute. He scored another in the 54th after Vangelis Pavlidis added a goal for the home team from a penalty at the end of the first half.
Benfica and Real would find their playoff opponents after a draw on Friday, but Mourinho and his boys would now be gunning to go against whoever that may be. Mourinho, who has won the Champions League with Porto and Inter Milan, was brought to Benfica last year to help them do exactly this.
Mourinho shows his class at 63
Many felt the 63-year-old Mourinho was past his peak when he returned to Benfica 25 years after a brief spell there, but the team is now unbeaten in the Portuguese Liga. However, they are 10 points behind leaders Porto and may now win the league.
Still, a victory against Madrid has suddenly raised the stature of the club.
“To win against Real Madrid carries importance and is significant. In that moment we had to give it everything,” Mourinho said.
“When I made the last changes, I was told [that] is enough, so let’s close the door… Then they tell me we need one more goal, but I cannot make more changes.” 😱
José Mourinho reflects on the madness of Benfica’s insane finish as they qualify for the #UCL knockout playoffs 😅 pic.twitter.com/qoIa7Iet8N
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) January 28, 2026
Mourinho’s old adversary Pep Guardiola also thanked Mourinho on Wednesday as Benfica’s last-ditch goal allowed Manchester City to earn a direct qualification to the last 16 of the Champions League.
“We didn’t know Benfica needed a goal to qualify, so when the goalkeeper goes up, we say, ‘why you go?’, because Madrid can equalise and we are out,” City manager Guardiola said his team defeated Galatasaray.
“But it was a good strategy for Jose to score the fourth goal, right!”
Benfica’s reward for reaching the Champions League last 16 playoffs could be a rematch against Jose’s former teams, Real or Inter. He won’t mind facing any of them, as it allows him to return to cities where he made his name.
“I can’t say I prefer one or the other because going to Madrid I like a lot and I’ve not gone there; to go to Milan I like a lot and I don’t go there either,” Mourinho signed off.
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