Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a dramatic stoppage-time header to secure a 4-2 Champions League win over Real Madrid, keeping Jose Mourinho’s side alive in Europe. The victory also allowed Benfica to snatch a play-off spot at the expense of Marseille.

Benfica led 3-2 deep into added time but still faced elimination on goal difference. For a final free-kick, Trubin was sent forward and powered a header into the net, sparking wild celebrations at the Estadio da Luz. The Ukrainian goalkeeper, 24, said it was his first career goal and described the moment as “crazy” and “completely new” for him. “Before, I didn’t understand what we needed. Then everyone pointed at me, and I went. We needed one more goal,” he said.

Mourinho praised the goal, calling it “fantastic, historic and well deserved” and said beating Real Madrid, his former club, brought “incredible prestige” to Benfica. The win came after a challenging start to his second stint at the Portuguese club, where skepticism surrounded his appointment in September. Despite remaining unbeaten domestically, Benfica struggled in Europe, losing the first four matches of the league phase and suffering a domestic cup quarter-final defeat to Porto.

Wins over Ajax and Napoli had kept hope alive, but a loss in the penultimate round had left Benfica on the brink of elimination. Trubin’s late heroics overturned that narrative, with European football analyst Julien Laurens calling the result “incredible,” highlighting the drama of Mourinho’s victory against his former club and former protégé, Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Looking ahead, Benfica could face either Real Madrid or Inter Milan in the play-off round. Mourinho, who won the Champions League with Inter in 2010, said he was eager for the challenge. For now, however, Trubin’s header will be remembered as a defining moment, preserving Benfica’s European ambitions and adding a remarkable chapter to Mourinho’s storied career.

With inputs from BBC