In a stunning upset at Lisbon’s Estádio da Luz, a goalkeeper’s dramatic header capped a night of pure football theater.
José Mourinho’s Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 in a critical UEFA Champions League encounter, a result that drastically reshaped the tournament landscape and forced the Spanish giants into a perilous playoff round.
The match, played on January 28, 2026, was the final fixture of the new league phase. The narrative was set from the start: Real Madrid, sitting ninth with 15 points, needed at least a draw to secure direct qualification to the knockout stages, while Benfica, with only 9 points, needed not only a victory but also favorable results elsewhere to have any hope of continuing their campaign.
What unfolded was a contest of relentless intensity and dramatic momentum swings.
Against the early run of play, it was Real Madrid who struck first. Kylian Mbappé, demonstrating his lethal instinct, headed home from a Raúl Asencio cross in the 30th minute to give the visitors a lead that flattered their shaky start.
However, Mourinho’s disciplined Benfica side refused to buckle. They drew level just six minutes later through Andreas Schjelderup, who finished a sweeping counterattack with a header that slipped through the legs of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Portuguese side then seized control on the stroke of halftime. Aurélien Tchouaméni conceded a penalty with a needless shove in the box, which Vangelis Pavlidis calmly converted to send Benfica into the break with a 2-1 lead.
The second half began where the first left off, with Benfica delivering what seemed a decisive blow. Schjelderup struck again in the 54th minute, cutting inside and finishing neatly at the near post to complete his brace and extend the lead to 3-1.
Real Madrid’s response came from their talisman, as Mbappé netted his second of the night four minutes later, connecting with an Arda Güler cross to reignite the contest and bring the score to 3-2. For the remainder of the match, Madrid pressed desperately for an equalizer that would save their direct qualification, while Benfica, knowing a single goal was not enough and requiring other results to fall their way, defended with resilience.
The crescendo arrived deep into stoppage time. In the 98th minute, with Benfica awarded a late set piece, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin ventured forward. In a moment of pure, cinematic football, he rose to meet Fredrik Aursnes’s cross and powered a header into the net, sending the Estádio da Luz into absolute pandemonium.
The goal sealed a famous 4-2 victory and, combined with results from other matches, miraculously catapulted Benfica into the 24th and final playoff spot. Real Madrid’s misery was compounded in the chaotic final moments, as both Rodrygo and Raúl Asencio were sent off for dissent.
The fallout from this result is significant. Real Madrid, one of the pre-tournament favorites, finishes the league phase in ninth position and must now navigate a tricky two-legged playoff to reach the quarter-finals, an unexpected hurdle for manager Álvaro Arbeloa’s side.
For Benfica and Mourinho, the victory is a testament to tactical preparation and sheer will, extending their European journey against all odds. Both teams will discover their playoff opponents in a draw scheduled for Friday, January 30.