LISBON, Portugal (AP) – When Benfica were given a foul near the area late in stoppage time, coach Jose Mourinho looked at goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin and told him to go into the penalty box for a set piece.
Moments later, Trubin was at the bottom of the line of Benfica players celebrating his goal. His decisive goal against Real Madrid propelled the Portuguese club into the knockout stages of the Champions League.
Trubin’s header gave Benfica a 4-2 victory and increased the goal difference they needed to finish in the top 24 in European competition.
“I didn’t know what I needed to do. Then I saw everyone telling me to go up. I could see the coach too, so I went up and got into the box and I don’t know…I don’t know what to say,” Trubin said. “It’s a crazy moment. I don’t know what to say. I’m not used to scoring goals. It’s the first time I’ve been 24 years old. It’s unbelievable.”
The goal also meant that Mourinho’s old club Madrid were dropped from the top eight, which automatically qualified for the round of 16.
Mourinho said: “We didn’t know if 3-2 would be enough, we didn’t have any indication. When the free-kick came, we sent Trubin forward.” “This victory is historic and important, and even more so from a prestige standpoint.”
Trubin sprinted toward midfield and took a knee after scoring. His teammates followed suit and quickly started massaging him. Manager Mourinho was also overjoyed as he ran towards the fans on the bench.
The 24-year-old Ukrainian goalkeeper then pointed to the sky as he was held up by his teammates.
“We knew he could do it,” Mourinho said. “A few weeks ago, we were losing to Porto, and in the last minute he went up and almost scored the goal. So we know this big guy is capable of this. Of course, the quality of service is the most important thing. You have to put the ball in there, but it was a great goal for him.”
After the match, Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was among those who tried to congratulate Trubin. The Belgian international smiled as he hugged his Benfica hero.
According to UEFA, Trubin became the fifth goalkeeper to score in the Champions League finals, and the first since Ivan Proveder, who scored for Lazio in a 1-1 draw with Atlético Madrid in 2023.
Eight minutes into stoppage time at the Estadio da Luz, Madrid were down to nine men when Trubin connected in Fredrik Olsnes’ cross from a free kick. Raul Asensio was sent off two minutes into stoppage time, followed by Rodrygo four minutes later.
The free kick that led to Trubin’s goal was caused by a foul on Orsnes’ Jude Bellingham.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
