Benfica’s goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, scored an unexpected goal in the 98th minute, leading his team to a decisive (4-2) victory and securing their ticket to continue in the UEFA Champions League, in one of the most thrilling moments of the final matchday.
The goal came in the last attack of the match, when Trubin advanced into the opponent’s penalty area for a set piece and successfully headed it into the net, giving his team the fourth goal that secured their place in the playoff round and kept their continental championship hopes alive.
Benfica’s Goalkeeper Scores Killer Qualifying Goal Against Real Madrid
The Estadio da Luz witnessed an extraordinary atmosphere as Benfica realized that a 3-2 result was no longer sufficient, given the results of other matches, prompting the technical staff to risk involving the goalkeeper in the final attack.
The goal came after more than three minutes of added time, from a cross delivered from a side free-kick amidst congestion inside the area, with Trubin settling the encounter with a precise header.
Historical Comparison
Trubin’s goal brought back memories of Sergio Ramos’s famous goal at the Estadio da Luz during the 2014 Champions League final, in terms of timing and method of scoring, although the historical significance of the goals differed. While Ramos’s goal gave Real Madrid the title, Trubin’s goal was enough to keep Benfica in the continental competition race.
With this goal, Benfica ended their match in a dramatic fashion, capitalizing on a rare moment, in an evening that will remain in the memory of their fans and adds to the record of extraordinary moments known by the Estadio da Luz in the Champions League.
Soccer
Soccer, known as football outside North America, is a globally popular team sport with origins tracing back to ancient ball games in China and Mesoamerica, though its modern rules were codified in England in 1863. It is characterized by two teams of eleven players attempting to score by getting a ball into the opposing goal, primarily using their feet.
Football
Football, as a sport, has its origins in various ball games played for centuries, but the modern codified rules were established in England in 1863 with the founding of The Football Association. It has since evolved into the world’s most popular sport, deeply embedded in global culture and often reflecting national and local identities.
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League is an annual club football competition organized by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA). It was established in 1955 as the European Champion Clubs’ Cup, evolving into its current format in 1992 to become the premier continental tournament for Europe’s top-division clubs.
Benfica
Benfica is a historic civil parish and former municipality in Lisbon, Portugal, best known globally as the home of Sport Lisboa e Benfica, one of the world’s most famous football clubs. The area’s name dates back to the period of Moorish rule in the Iberian Peninsula, and it was formally incorporated into Lisbon in 1885.
Real Madrid
Real Madrid is a professional football club based in Madrid, Spain, founded in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, renowned for winning a record number of European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles. The club’s history is deeply intertwined with Spanish culture and politics, having been granted royal patronage in 1920, which led to its “Real” (Royal) name.
Estadio da Luz
Estadio da Luz, officially named Estádio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica, is the home stadium of Portuguese football club S.L. Benfica in Lisbon. Originally opened in 1954, it was completely rebuilt and reopened in 2003 for the UEFA European Championship, becoming one of Europe’s most modern arenas. It is famously known as “The Cathedral” by Benfica supporters and has hosted major events, including the 2014 UEFA Champions League Final.
Lisbon
Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal, with a history dating back over 3,000 years to Phoenician settlers. It became a major hub during the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries, and its iconic districts, such as Belém and Alfama, showcase architecture from its medieval, Manueline, and post-1755 earthquake reconstruction periods.
Portugal
Portugal is a southwestern European nation with a rich maritime history, most notably as a leading power during the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. Its cultural heritage is reflected in landmarks like the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon and the historic centre of Porto, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Anatoliy Trubin
Anatoliy Trubin is a professional Ukrainian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Portuguese club Benfica and the Ukraine national team. He began his professional career at FC Shakhtar Donetsk, where he developed through their youth academy before making his senior debut in 2019 and establishing himself as a key player.
SL Benfica
SL Benfica is a historic Portuguese sports club, most famous for its football team, founded in Lisbon in 1904. It is one of Portugal’s most successful and popular clubs, with a rich history that includes two European Cup victories in 1961 and 1962. The club’s identity is deeply tied to its emblematic Estádio da Luz stadium and its vast, passionate global supporter base.
Real Madrid C.F.
Real Madrid Club de Fútbol is a professional football club founded in Madrid, Spain, in 1902. It is one of the world’s most successful and widely supported clubs, renowned for its record number of European Cup/UEFA Champions League titles. The club’s history is deeply intertwined with Spanish culture and 20th-century politics, having been declared the “Best Club of the 20th Century” by FIFA.
Estadio do SL Benfica
Estadio do SL Benfica, commonly known as Estádio da Luz, is the home stadium of the Portuguese football club S.L. Benfica. It opened in 2003, replacing the club’s original stadium of the same name, and was a primary venue for the UEFA Euro 2004 tournament. The modern arena symbolizes the club’s history and is one of Europe’s largest football stadiums.
Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is not a place or cultural site, but a Spanish professional footballer. He is best known for his long and successful career as a defender at Real Madrid, where he won numerous domestic and European titles, including four UEFA Champions League trophies.
