Goalkeeper scores at death to keep Benfica in Champions League with 4-2 win over Real Madrid

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored an astonishing 98th-minute header ‍as Benfica beat Real Madrid 4-2 on Wednesday to keep themselves in the Champions League and deny their illustrious opponents an automatic spot ‍in the last 16.

In an extraordinary finale, the Portuguese side were heading out despite leading 3-2 with seconds of stoppage time remaining before Trubin came forward for a free kick to score the goal needed to sneak into the playoff round on goal difference.

That sparked ‌wild celebrations from Benfica players, fans and their charismatic coach Jose Mourinho - a former manager of Real Madrid - at the Stadium of Light ⁠in Lisbon.

The Spaniards had hoped to finish in the top eight and go straight into the last ‌16, ​but ‍their 15 points from eight games was not enough and they finished the match with nine men as Raul Asencio and Rodrygo were sent off.

Andreas Schjelderup scored two goals for Benfica and Vangelis Pavlidis netted from the penalty spot, while Kylian Mbappe netted twice ⁠for Real in a hugely entertaining, end-to-end contest.

Benfica advance at the expense of Marseille, who lost 3-0 at Club ⁠Brugge. The giant screen in the stadium in ⁠Belgium congratulated both teams for advancing to the next stage, but that proved premature as Trubin turned the tables.

Both Benfica and Real needed a goal for different reasons going ‍into the final minutes, and it is a vindication of the competition's format that a single goal could have such a dramatic effect on the table.

Benfica were denied two strong early penalty shouts and Real took the lead on 30 minutes against the run of play when Asencio’s cross to the back post was headed in by Mbappe.

The home side drew level six minutes later when Asencio’s slip in the