Mourinho was confused about the goal difference for Benfica's qualification before the goalkeeper's goal against Real Madrid

Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a dramatic goal to take Benfica on to continue their journey in the Champions League (Instagram/@slbenfica).

Jose Mourinho praised Benfica after a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid at the Estadio da Luz on Thursday, January 29, 2026, which kept them in the Champions League.

However, the Portuguese coach admitted that he was confused about the goal difference needed to advance to the playoff phase before Benfica scored the fourth goal.

A dramatic goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin in the 98th minute gave Benfica a two-goal deficit, which was enough to send them into the knockout phase playoff in 24th place, with nine points.

Meanwhile, for Real Madrid, the defeat knocked them out of the top eight to qualify directly for the knockout stages. They ended the league phase in ninth place and had to go through the playoffs to fight for a ticket to the 16th round.

Benfica have the chance to face Real Madrid again in the playoffs, or Inter Milan - two former Mourinho teams - to compete for a place in the last 16. The playoff draw will take place on Friday, January 30, 2026.

"I think we deserve it (the victory), we really deserve it. Kylian (Mbappe) had two chances and scored two goals. For Benfica, beating Real Madrid is a very prestigious thing. It's fantastic," Mourinho told Movistar.

Mourinho's Benfica have had a difficult season and are currently third in the Portuguese League (Primeira Liga), while they lost their first four Champions League games before finally qualifying for the playoffs.

Mourinho admitted that when the match against Real Madrid entered the final stages, he and his team believed that a score of 3-2 was enough to advance, before they were later told that they needed one more goal.

"When I made the last substitutions, (Franjo) Ivanovic and (Antonio) Silva, I was told (the score) was enough. So, let's finish the game."

"A few seconds later, they told me that we needed one more goal, but I couldn't make any more substitutions."

"It was a lucky point, getting a free kick, which allowed us to play with a great player (Trubin)," Mourinho told Paramount+, as reported by ESPN.

Ivanovic and Silva were introduced in the 93rd minute, before Trubin's goal in the final five minutes. The Ukrainian goalkeeper admitted a similar confusion before his dramatic intervention.

"I didn't know what we needed. Then, I saw everyone telling me to go forward. I also saw our coach."

"So, I go in, I go in the box, and I don't know. I don't know what to say. Crazy moment. I don't know what to say."

"I'm not used to scoring goals. I'm 24 years old and this is the first time. It's amazing," he said.

The playoff draw will take place in Nyon, Switzerland, at noon local time. The first leg of the playoffs will take place on February 17 and 18, while the second leg takes place on February 24 and 25, 2026.