‘A historic goal’ - Mourinho hails Benfica goalkeeper, who scored a stunning 98th-minute header

Benfica secured a dramatic place in the UEFA Champions League last 16 after goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a sensational stoppage-time header to seal a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid at the Estadio da Luz.

The extraordinary 98th-minute goal proved decisive, sending Benfica through on goal difference and plunging Real Madrid into the uncertainty of the playoffs.

A visibly emotional Jose Mourinho, Benfica’s manager, described the achievement as one of immense historical significance for the club.

“It’s normal for me to be emotional. I think it was deserved,” Mourinho told Movistar Plus.

He added, “For Benfica, it’s obviously incredible prestige to beat Real Madrid. The two clubs hadn’t faced each other since the fantastic years, so many years ago. Now, for the club and the players, it’s something fantastic.”

Mourinho highlighted the importance of Trubin’s intervention, revealing that Benfica knew a 3-2 scoreline would not be enough.

“Our goalkeeper, 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,” he said.

The clash revived memories of one of European football’s classic rivalries. The last competitive meeting between Benfica and Real Madrid came in the 1965 European Cup quarter-finals, while their most iconic encounter remains the 1962 final, won 5-3 by the Portuguese giants.