Lisbon, Portugal – January 28, 2026 – In one of the most astonishing conclusions to a UEFA Champions League league phase match, SL Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 at the Estádio da Luz on Wednesday evening, propelling themselves into the knockout play-offs while dragging the 15-time European champions down into the same additional round.
The result, sealed by an improbable stoppage-time header from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in the 98th minute, denied Real Madrid an automatic spot in the round of 16 and highlighted the unpredictable drama of the expanded 36-team league format.
Benfica, coached by José Mourinho, entered the final matchday in a precarious position, sitting outside the top 24 spots required for progression. Real Madrid, starting third in the standings with 15 points from eight games, needed only to avoid a heavy defeat to secure direct qualification.
Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for Madrid around the 30th minute with a header, but Benfica responded swiftly. Andreas Schjelderup equalized in the 36th minute, and Vangelis Pavlidis converted a penalty in first-half stoppage time (45+5′) to give the hosts a 2-1 lead at the interval.
Schjelderup added his second in the 54th minute to make it 3-1, capitalizing on a precise pass from Pavlidis. Mbappé pulled one back for Real Madrid in the 58th minute, setting up a tense finale at 3-2.
As the match entered added time, Real Madrid’s frustrations boiled over: defender Raúl Asencio and forward Rodrygo were both shown red cards in the closing stages, leaving the visitors with nine men.
In the eighth minute of stoppage time, Benfica won a free kick near the Madrid area. Mourinho instructed Trubin to join the attack, and the Ukrainian goalkeeper rose highest to powerfully head home the decisive goal—the last action of the match—securing a 4-2 victory.
The strike improved Benfica’s goal difference sufficiently to claim 24th place and a play-off berth (likely against Bodø/Glimt or potentially a rematch with Madrid). Real Madrid dropped to ninth, joining teams like Paris Saint-Germain in the knockout play-offs. The draw for those ties is scheduled for Friday, January 30.
Mourinho, who previously managed Real Madrid, masterminded the upset against his former club. Post-match, he admitted some confusion over the exact goal difference needed but praised his side’s resilience.
The match sent shockwaves through European football, with Benfica’s dramatic survival and Madrid’s stumble dominating headlines. In South Africa, where Benfica enjoys a dedicated following, social media buzzed with celebrations over the “Trubin miracle” and the underdog triumph.
This encounter exemplified the high-stakes intensity of the new Champions League structure—where even giants can be humbled in the dying seconds, and a goalkeeper can become the unlikely hero.
Benfica now turn their focus to the play-offs, while Real Madrid face an unexpected hurdle on the road to defending their European legacy.