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Keeper Anatoliy Trubin scores in 98th minute to keep Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League

Keeper Anatoliy Trubin scores in the 98th minute against Real Madrid to keep Jose Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League.

Benfica had been on the verge of going out of the competition, on goals scored, despite leading 3-2 with seconds remaining.

But that fourth goal then secured Benfica a place in the last 16 play-offs, finishing 24th in the Champions League table, on goal difference.

Real Madrid meanwhile also face the play-offs, and could face also come up again Benfica again, after dropping from third to ninth with defeat at Estadio da Luz.

It also knocked Marseille out of the Champions League on goal difference.

After the game, the 24 year old Anatoliy Trubin dedicated his Champions League heroics in the win over Real Madrid to his Ukrainian compatriots. He also took home the match ball signed by his teammates.

Trubin signed for Benfica in August 2023 from Shakhtar Donetsk, 18 months after Russia invaded Ukraine. He wrote after the win against Real Madrid: “For Ukraine. For those who know how to fight till the end.”

Trubin said: “I didn’t know what we needed. Then I saw everyone telling me to go up. I also saw our coach, so I went up, went into the box, and I don’t know… I don’t know what to say.

“Crazy moment. I don’t know what to say. I’m not used to scoring. I’m 24 years old and it’s the first time. Unbelievable.”

Mourinho said after the game: “I used to say, for me, everything is dĂ©jĂ  vu, but this one is the first time.

“We knew that he could do it, we knew that he could do it.

“We were losing in Porto a couple of weeks ago and in the last minute he went there and almost scored. So we know the big guy is capable of this.

“The quality of the service is, of course, the most important thing, you have to put the ball there, but it’s an amazing goal for the guy.

“When I made the changes, the last changes, [Franjo] Ivanovic and Antonio Silva [in the third minute of stoppage time], I was told it’s enough, so let’s close the door.

“When I make the changes, a few seconds later, they tell me we need one more goal. But I cannot make more changes.

“So that was the lucky point, to get a free-kick to allow us to go there with the big guy.

“We were winning 3-2, in that moment we were playing with one player more, so we have the game in the pocket. I just want to close the door and I think it’s enough. I have no idea of what is going on.

“When I was told we needed one more goal, honestly I was upset. I was thinking, ‘Why was I not told a few seconds before?’

“But then we kept the pride because that was my challenge to the players before the game: ‘If we don’t qualify, we have to win – if we don’t qualify, we don’t qualify, but we have to win.’

“That was the pride behind the attitude. I would be happy the same, winning the way we did against Real Madrid and being out. I would be happy the same.”

Portuguese TV channel NOW was interviewing a priest in the wake of the destruction caused by the storms over the last 24 hours, talking about the relationship between God and inclement weather, when Benfica scored their fourth goal.

He is heard saying as seen in the video below: “Everyone goes forward. Trubin asks for permission to move up. Let’s see, it’s now or never.

“There’s Trubin coming up too. Benfica 3 Real Madrid 2. The referee is coming, he’s going to blow the whistle.

“He’s going, he’s going, he’s going, he’s going. In the area, the finish… Goal. Goal. Goal.

“Trubin, spectacular. It’s Benfica’s goal. The game is over. Past. Present. Glory. All in one goal.

“Benfica is through. But I’m going to shout… GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOAL! GOOOOOOOL!!! We must not stop believing in how well Trubin has played!

“What a European night! History is being written! History is being written!

“EstĂĄdio da Luz, where history weighs heavily and support echoes. The flame of the Champions League burns in the hearts of Benfica fans.

“At this moment, around the world, the hearts of Benfica fans are beating fast. Europe knows this symbol. And of course, the white didn’t erase the red, ValtĂ©.

“Benfica qualifies for the next stage of the Champions League. What a magical night.

“What an incredible night. We could have a Benfica-Real Madrid in the play-offs. We could have a Benfica-Real Madrid in the play-offs.”

You can also see a commentator giving an emotional reaction to the goal…

Here’s the social media reaction after keeper Anatoliy Trubin scores in the 98th minute to keep Mourinho’s Benfica in the Champions League…

@bluewhitewall: There’s nothing quite like football! How can anyone say they don’t like it? Incredible scenes having the last touch of the game being the keeper scoring a brilliant header to keep his team in the competition. Of course, Jose Mourinho still has it. One of the best.

@BRawcliffe96: How can people not love footy last kick of the game the keepers gone up needs a goal to keep them in the play offs, up steps the keeper đŸ‘ŒđŸŒ

@Samuel_JMurray: If someone asks you why is football the greatest sport ever, show them this video.

@FplRegret: What is the equivalent of this for those people who don’t like sport? A cathartic explosion of unadulterated joy. That cannot be replicated to the scale in any other form of entertainment, imo.

@spurredon10: Brilliant header , but I tell you what has largely gone unmentioned and that is what a superb delivery it was from the free kick taker under immense pressure

@DougShulman: From a purely footballing perspective you’ve got to love the @ChampionsLeague. High on quality, sometimes chaotic and simply brilliant entertainment!

@EricFinnish_: Home from the pub. If this goal doesn’t convince you that the league phase is better than the iconic UCL group stages none will

@samrichards1212: How can people genuinely not like football
 Best sport in the world

@JDHibs: How can you not like football?

@gcooney93: The best and worst thing about football is that there is no format so bloated, dull and low-stakes that can’t be redeemed by the football

@_Dan_Austin: If a goalkeeper scoring a 98th minute winner to knock out a team that’s not even playing in the same game doesn’t prove to people that the new format is loads more fun, then nothing will.

@_TomClarke: The keeper and Jose are obviously sensational but that is a CLASS free-kick under pressure from Fredrik Aursnes – honestly thought he wouldn’t beat the first man!!

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