Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin Scores Dramatic Late Header as Benfica Stuns Real Madrid in Champions League

It is difficult to find a moment in Jose Mourinho's long and dramatic coaching career that qualifies as a 'first time,' but on Wednesday night in Lisbon, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin provided him with that rare instance.

For Benfica, defeating 15-time European champion Real Madrid was not enough. They were leading 3-2 in injury time, but they needed one more goal to stay in the Champions League.

As a final opportunity, Benfica earned a free kick, and goalkeeper Trubin advanced to the opponent's goal to score. Moments later, the Estádio da Luz stadium erupted in celebration. Benfica players were running in joy, while Trubin, who scored the decisive goal with a powerful header, celebrated by sliding on his knees.

'This is a magnificent and historic goal that excited the entire stadium. I think we fully deserved this result,' said Benfica head coach Jose Mourinho. 'Defeating Real Madrid for Benfica is a great honor in itself.'

Incredible Final Moments

Due to the complex arithmetic of the new Champions League league stage, it was natural that Trubin was not fully aware of what his team actually needed. At the end of the eight-game league stage, Benfica was being eliminated based on goal difference, but Trubin's incredible goal pushed Benfica into the play-offs, overtaking Marseille.

Just a few minutes before the goal, Trubin was trying to waste time by holding the ball. He thought a 3-2 victory was enough, but even in that situation, Benfica was exiting the competition.
'Initially, I didn't even know what we needed,' Trubin said. 'Only when everyone signaled me to go forward did I realize we needed one more goal.'

'What can I say, I don't know. It was an incredible moment. I am not used to scoring, so this is a completely new experience for me. I am 24 years old, and this is the first time in my career this has happened.'

Mourinho's Difficult Returns

Since returning to Benfica in September, times have not been easy for Mourinho. When 'The Special One' was appointed for his second spell at the club after about 25 years, there were some doubts. Many thought the 63-year-old coach had passed his peak.

Four and a half months later, although Benfica is undefeated in the league, they are in third place, 10 points behind leaders Porto. In Europe, the situation became disappointing after losing the first four league stage matches. Benfica was also defeated by Porto in the domestic cup quarter-finals, the club where Mourinho made his name 20 years ago.

But perhaps that match on January 14 served as 'practice' for Trubin to become a hero in the Champions League. 'We knew. We believed in him,' Mourinho said. 'In the final moments against Porto, Trubin also went forward and attempted a header, but a player saved it on the goal line.'

This time, however, no one could stop the Ukrainian goalkeeper. His excellent run and well-timed header kept Benfica's European hopes alive. European football expert Julian Lawrence said, 'This is a historic moment for Mourinho. Real Madrid, his former club, and on the other side, Real Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa, whom Mourinho considers like a son—this in itself is a story.'

Facing Madrid or Inter Again

Defeating Madrid has always been special for Mourinho. He managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, winning La Liga in 2011-12. On the other hand, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola was also a witness to this moment. His team needed a Benfica victory to secure a spot in the final eight. 'When Benfica's goalkeeper went forward, we asked, 'Why did he go forward?' Because if Madrid had scored an equalizer, we would have been out,' Guardiola said. 'But Jose's strategy to score a fourth goal ultimately proved correct, didn't it!'

Now, in the play-offs in February, Benfica is likely to face either Real Madrid or Inter Milan again. Inter is the club with whom Mourinho won the historic 'Treble' in 2010. 'I can't say which team I would choose,' Mourinho said. 'I want to return to Madrid; it's been a long time since I've been there. Likewise, I want to return to Milan too.'

Whether it's the Bernabéu or the San Siro now, no one doubts that Mourinho can create something special. But perhaps even Mourinho himself will find it difficult to write a story that surpasses Trubin's unforgettable moment.