Real Madrid’s Staggering Collapse: Benfica Keeper Trubin’s Last-Gasp Miracle
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
Real Madrid suffered a catastrophic blow to their UEFA Champions League campaign today, falling to a staggering 4-2 defeat against Benfica in Lisbon. Despite entering the final matchday in third place, the record 15-time champions collapsed at the Estádio da Luz, tumbling to ninth and missing out on an automatic spot in the Round of 16 by a single point. In one of the most improbable finishes in the competition’s history, Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a 98th-minute diving header to seal Madrid’s fate and send Jose Mourinho’s side into the playoffs.
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Benfica vs Real Madrid Match Facts
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Arena: Estádio da Luz
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Location: Lisbon, Portugal
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Result: Benfica 4 (Schjelderup 36′, 54′, Pavlidis 45′ Pen, Trubin 90’+8) – Real Madrid 2 (Mbappé 30′, 58′)
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UCL Standings: Real Madrid finish 9th (Playoff round); Benfica finish 24th (Playoff round)
Match Breakdown: Defensive Shambles and Goalkeeper Heroics
Real Madrid appeared to be in control early on when Kylian Mbappé powerfully headed home a Raúl Asencio cross in the 30th minute for his 12th UCL goal of the season—a new competition record for the league phase. However, the lead vanished six minutes later when a slip by Asencio allowed Andreas Schjelderup to level the score.
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Benfica Turnaround: Just before halftime, Aurélien Tchouaméni conceded a penalty for a foul on Nicolas Otamendi, which Vangelis Pavlidis clinically converted. Schjelderup then doubled his tally in the 54th minute to make it 3-1 as Madrid’s defense crumbled.
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Mbappé Responds: Mbappé briefly restored hope with a clinical finish from an Arda Güler cutback in the 58th minute, but the equalizer never came despite heavy pressure.
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The Trubin Miracle: With seconds remaining and Benfica needing one goal to avoid elimination, Anatoliy Trubin ventured forward for a free kick. The goalkeeper met Fredrik Aursnes’ delivery with a stunning diving header in the 98th minute, sparking bedlam in Lisbon.
The Injury and Discipline Report: Madrid Down to Nine
The night ended in total disarray for Álvaro Arbeloa, as his side finished the match with only nine players on the pitch.
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Double Red Cards: Raúl Asencio was sent off two minutes into stoppage time after receiving a second yellow card, followed by Rodrygo, who also saw red in the frantic final minutes before Trubin’s goal.
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Defensive Fragility: Already missing key stars like Militão and Alexander-Arnold, Madrid’s backline was “simply too easy to play against," conceding four goals to a Benfica side that had started the day in the elimination zone.
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Playoff Path: By dropping to 9th, Madrid now faces a two-legged knockout playoff next month to stay alive in the competition.
