Mou does it again: Benfica’s Ukrainian keeper Trubin scores in the last minute to qualify for Champions League playoffs

Real Madrid suffered a total system collapse in the stadium that once brought them so much joy. It was the scene of the famous moment in which Xabi Alonso tore down the touchline to celebrate the 2014 Champions League win; today it was the Benfica players who burst onto the grass in delight as Los Blancos imploded and will now face the dreaded playoff round in the competition they like to call their own.

Former Madrid manager Jose Mourinho led a superb Benfica performance from the touchline, yanking at the rigging like a pirate in a storm, keeping his players in line and the waves at bay.

In truth, there were no dangerous, attacking waves, it was Mbappé’s goalscoring that was once again the only high point in a Madrid team that has yet to proclaim to play any particular style under new manager Álvaro Arbeloa.

It was their setup that was frayed from the off, allowing Benfica to attack when they pleased and looking just as wobbly in defence as they had done with Alonso’s sleek suit on the touchline; Pavlidis was left alone to provide a constant threat across the front line as defenders in black scrambled for help.

Benfica took their chances and turned the scoreboard in their favour as Madrid piled on the pressure without ever looking in their pocket for the magic stardust that had helped them on tough European nights in the past.

And when Trubin went up for an attacking free-kick in the dying moments, it looked like the Spanish side would be given a lifeline - his open goal at the back.

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But this is not that Real Madrid side, the winning one, and their Champions League luck is nowhere to be found. The Ukrainian goalkeeper did leave his goal unattended but it did not matter, as his head found the ball that came in from the right and he made the scoreline impossible to recover for the Spanish side who will not be allowed to breathe until they finally choose to prove their worth.

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