Benfica Goalkeeper Trubin Scores Dramatic 98th-Minute Winner Against Real Madrid

Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin produced one of the most extraordinary moments in Champions League history on Wednesday night, scoring a dramatic 98th-minute header to secure a 4–2 victory over Real Madrid and send the Portuguese side into the knockout phase.

With Benfica awarded a late free-kick deep into stoppage time at the Estádio da Luz, head coach José Mourinho made the bold decision to instruct Trubin to join the attack. Moments later, the Ukrainian found himself buried beneath a mass of celebrating teammates after heading home the decisive goal that delivered the goal difference Benfica needed to finish inside the top 24 of the league phase.

“I didn’t know what we needed at that moment,” Trubin said after the match. “Then I saw everyone telling me to go forward, including the coach. I went into the box and then… I don’t know what to say. It was a crazy moment.

“I’m not used to scoring. I’m 24 years old and it’s the first time in my life. It’s unbelievable.”

The goal not only sealed Benfica’s progression but also pushed Real Madrid out of the top eight, meaning Mourinho’s former club missed out on automatic qualification for the last 16.

Mourinho admitted he had little time to calculate the permutations before sending his goalkeeper forward.

“I had no idea if 3–2 was enough,” he said. “I had no information. When the free-kick came, I told Trubin to go up front. This victory is historic and hugely important, especially in terms of prestige.”

Trubin celebrated by sprinting towards the halfway line and sliding on his knees before being engulfed by his teammates. Mourinho also ran from the bench, turning to salute the home supporters as the stadium erupted.

The Ukrainian later pointed to the sky as he was lifted into the air by his fellow players.

“We knew he was capable of it,” Mourinho added. “A couple of weeks ago in Porto, he went up in the final minute and nearly scored. The delivery has to be perfect, of course, but it’s an incredible goal for him.”

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was among those to congratulate Trubin at full-time, smiling as he embraced the unlikely match-winner.

According to UEFA, Trubin became only the fifth goalkeeper to score in the Champions League proper, and the first since Lazio’s Ivan Provedel netted a late equaliser against Atlético Madrid in 2023.

Madrid were reduced to nine men by the time Trubin scored, with Raúl Asencio dismissed two minutes into added time and Rodrygo sent off shortly afterwards. The decisive free-kick was awarded following a foul by Jude Bellingham on Fredrik Aursnes, whose delivery was expertly met by Trubin in the eighth minute of stoppage time.