Last Ditch Drama as Benfica GOALKEEPER Scores to Keep UCL Hopes Alive
Goalkeeper SCORES As Benfica Scrape Into Play-Off Round
The UEFA Champions League never fails to provide drama, but very rarely does it give us something as dramatic as this - Benfica goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin scored a header in the 98th minute to finally seal safe passage through to the knockout play-off round … against Real Madrid, no less!
Despite already leading 3-2, Benfica required another goal to sneak into the top 24 sides on goal difference, and when a free kick was won on the right-hand side deep into stoppage time, the game was already two minutes into overtime.
Jose Mourinho’s side threw everyone forward, including their 6 ft 6 in keeper, and when Fredrik Aursnes’ delivery was nodded into the corner by the soaring Ukrainian, the Estadio da Luz erupted into complete pandemonium.
98th minute
— Football Park (@FP_CentreCircle) January 28, 2026
Seconds from elimination
Need a fourth goal against Real Madrid
Up steps Benfica’s GOALKEEPER 🇺🇦🤴🏼
INSANE! 🤯pic.twitter.com/ORJEM0hoSD#UCL | #Trubin | #BENRMA https://t.co/nVOWMObTZy
Trubin was mobbed by teammates, staff, and even fans, while Mourinho celebrated in trademark fashion, roaring into the stands with undiluted passion. There is a reason he is called “The Special One”.
Trubin’s header was the final kick of the game, and it both sealed an invaluable spot in the knockout stages and wrote the 24-year-old into history as just the fifth goalkeeper to score in a Champions League game.
Joe Ryan 
