Benfica vs Real Madrid: Goalkeeper scores the winner as Mourinho haunts former side to seal UCL spot

Benfica's goalkeeper was the hero as Jose Mourinho's men sealed a Champions League playoff spot with a 4-2 win over Real Madrid.

Anatoliy Trubin scored with the last kick of the game as Benfica qualified for the Champions League playoffs in dramatic fashion after beating Real Madrid. 

Going into the game, Benfica knew they had to win and hope for other results to go their way to qualify. Meanwhile, Real Madrid needed to avoid defeat to avoid playing in the playoff round. 

However, following Wednesday night’s events at Estadio da Luz, both teams will now play in the playoff round for a place in the round of 16.

Benfica dominate Real Madrid

Benfica were the better side in the opening few minutes, putting Álvaro Arbeloa’s men on the backfoot. 

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The Portuguese giants had the first chance of the game courtesy of Andreas Schjelderup’s strike, but the Norwegian’s strike was well dealt with by Real Madrid’s defence. 

Jose Mourinho’s men continued to apply the pressure but could not find the breakthrough despite creating half-chances. They would later regret not converting their dominance into a goal, as Los Blancos took the lead against the run of play. 

The 15-time champions opened the scoring from the usual suspect, as Kylian Mbappe headed home a brilliant cross from Raul Ascencio for his 12th Champions League goal of the season. 

Mbappe’s goal stunned Benfica, but the Eagles refused to bow down, and they responded immediately through Schjelderup’s header. 

The Norwegian headed past Thibaut Courtois in goal after Vangelis Pavlidis capitalised on a slip from Ascencio to put in a brilliant cross. 

Schjelderup’s goal gave Benfica an added energy, and they almost took the lead through the same man. The 21-year-old got on the end of a loose ball in Madrid’s box, but could only hit his shot directly at Federico Valverde with Courtois beaten. 

Benfica continued to create chances, but Leandro Barreiro was guilty of heading wide with only the goal at his mercy. Mourinho’s men created five big chances to Real Madrid’s one in the first half. 

However, Benfica’s hard work would not go undone, as they were awarded a penalty after Nicolas Otamendi was fouled in the box. 

Pavlidis, who missed last week against Juventus, redeemed his image as he stepped up to convert successfully to give the home side the lead going into the break. 

Trubin- Jose Mourinho's unlikely hero

The second half started with Real Madrid increasing their tempo, but it was Benfica who extended their lead through Schjelderup once again. 

The Norwegian did well to beat Courtois at his near post with a superb strike for his second of the game. 

Schjelderup’s goal brought Madrid back to life, as Mbappe scored his second of the game two minutes before the half-hour mark to get Los Blancos back into the game. 

Madrid then went ahead to find the equaliser but did not create enough and were also unable to break down Benfica’s defence. 

With time running out, Arbeloa’s men threw everything at the Portuguese but could still not find a way. It went from bad to worse as Ascencio and Rodrygo were both sent off late in the game. 

This gave the home side a chance to go for it, and they did, as Anatoliy Trubin headed in a remarkable header in the eighth minute of added time to seal Benfica’s place in the playoff round.