Jose Mourinho took his former side led by his former student Alvaro Arbeloa to school after managing to secure a convincing win over Real Madrid. This win by Benfica brought an end to Arbeloa’s somewhat impressive run at Real Madrid.
Arbeloa’s second loss follows a 3-2 defeat to Albacete, taking full responsibility in both games.
What made the Champions League game more remarkable was the last minute goal by Benfica goalie, Anatoliy Trubin, etching his name in Champions League history as one of the few goalies to get on the scoresheet.
Jose Mourinho after the game told the press that he believed that his team would be able to claim all 3 points to secure their automatic qualification into the Champions League round of 16, comparing the game to a previous matchup against Porto in the Portuguese League.
Real Madrid went ahead early in the first half with a header from Kylian Mbappé, only to see lead disappear towards the end of the first half by a goal from Benfica striker Schjelderup. Benfica went on to score more goals in the second half, with Pavlidis also getting onto the scoresheet from the spot. Real Madrid tried to fight back, getting a goal back, again from Mbappe. As Madrid tried to build confidence and get backing into the game, Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin was forced into the 18 yard box by Mourinho, as Benfica had won a corner with perhaps the last kick of the game. Trubin scored a header and secured Benfica’s win and qualification into the top 8.
This win also helped Man city to secure a spot also in the top 8. Benfica joins the likes of Tottenham, Chelsea and Barcelona
as they forge on in the competition. Real Madrid after yesterday’s defeat will have to play a couple of playoff games to secure qualification. Will Madrid be able to go through?,a question only Arbeloa and his team can answer.