Real Madrid had all but secured direct qualification to the Round of 16 heading into the final matchday of the UEFA Champions League league phase. However, Benfica spoiled the party by defeating them 4-2, meaning Los Blancos must now compete in the knockout phase play-offs.
The match started on the right foot for the Spaniards when Kylian Mbappe scored the opening goal in the 30th minute, which seemingly paved the way for Real Madrid‘s direct advancement. Nevertheless, Andreas Schjelderup equalized minutes later, followed by a Vangelis Pavlidis penalty that put Benfica up 2-1 heading into the halftime break.
In the second half, Real Madrid came out searching for the equalizer, but Schjelderup surprisingly netted his second goal to extend Benfica‘s lead. Adding drama to the story, Mbappe scored again just two minutes later to narrow the deficit, a result that—at that moment—would have seen Benfica eliminated from the competition.
The match reached a cinematic conclusion that no one could have imagined. After the referee sent off both Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo, Benfica went in search of the goal that would grant them qualification to the knockout phase play-offs.
They would achieve it through the most unexpected player: goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. The Ukrainian scored the 4-2 goal on the final play of the match from a cross, clinching a historic and miraculous qualification for his team.