How Jose Mourinho’s Benfica surprised Real Madrid by qualifying for the Champions League qualifiers

Firsts are not easy to come by for Jose Mourinho at this stage of his long, and often very exciting, career.

But on Wednesday night in Lisbon, Anatoly Trubin provided just such a moment.

Just beating 15-time European champions Real Madrid will not be enough for Benfica.

In extra time they led 3-2 but needed another goal or their Champions League campaign would be over.

The free kick gave them one last chance and goalkeeper Tropin was sent forward.

Moments later, there was chaos at the Estadio da Luz as Benfica players ran in all directions and Tropin ended his wild attack with a knee slide after scoring the decisive goal with a header.

Mourinho said: “A wonderful goal, a historic goal, a goal that almost destroyed the entire stadium, and I think it was very deserved for us.”

“For Benfica, beating Real Madrid is an incredible milestone.”

Considering the way the league system works where 18 matches are played simultaneously in the final round of play, it is no surprise that Trubin was not fully aware of what his team needed.

They were heading out on goal difference at the end of the eight-round league stage, until his dramatic intervention. Marseille were the unlucky team, falling out of the play-off places while Benfica snatched their place.

Two minutes before his goal, Tropin fell to his knees after receiving a cross, and appeared to be trying to waste a few seconds to seal the win, unaware that Benfica were still out of position.

“Before, I didn’t understand what we needed,” Trupin said. “I see everyone starting to point at me as I go and after I see [I can go forward]. We need another goal.

“I don’t know, I don’t know what to say. It’s a crazy moment.”

“I’m not used to recording, so it was completely new for me. I’m 24 years old and this is my first time.”