Benfica defeated Real 4-2, meaning Madrid missed out on a place in the last eight and both teams qualified for the Champions League play-offs.
Published January 28, 2026
Goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin scored a stunning header in the 98th minute as Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 to remain in the Champions League and deny their storied opponents an automatic spot in the last 16.
In Wednesday’s extraordinary finale, the Portuguese were sent off with seconds left in stoppage time despite leading 3-2, and Trubin came forward for a free kick, scoring the goal they needed to advance to the play-off round on goal difference.
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This sparked an enthusiastic celebration at Lisbon’s Stadium of Light by Benfica players, fans and charismatic manager Jose Mourinho (former Real Madrid manager).
The Spaniards had hoped to finish in the top eight and advance directly to the last 16, but 15 points from eight games was not enough, as Raul Asensio and Rodrygo were sent off and they finished with nine men.
It was a very entertaining end-to-end game, with Andreas Schjelderup scoring twice for Benfica and Fangelis Pavlidis scoring from the penalty spot, while Kylian Mbappé scored twice for Real.
Benfica advanced at the expense of Marseille, who lost 3-0 to Club Brugge. The giant screens in the Belgian stadium congratulated both teams on progressing to the next stage, but that proved premature as Trubin turned the tables.
Both Benfica and Real needed goals towards the end for various reasons, but it’s a testament to the format of the competition that just one goal can have such a dramatic impact on the standings.
Benfica were denied two strong penalty shots early on, and Real took the lead in the final minute when Asensio’s cross at the back post was headed in by Mbappe in the 30th minute.
The home side equalized six minutes later, when Asensio slipped in wet conditions, Pavlidis delivered a perfect cross that Schjerderup headed into the back of the net.
Benfica were awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Aurélien Choameny was adjudged to have dragged Nicolas Otamendi to the floor, and Pavlidis sank the spot-kick.
Schjelderup scored his second goal of the game from a perfect pass from Pavlidis to make it 3-1, before Mbappe also brought home his second goal. This was his 36th goal of the season in all official games.
Benfica were still outside the top 24 when they were awarded a free-kick in what was effectively the last play of the game, but Trubín’s header from Fredrik Olsnes capped off a night of drama in Lisbon.
