Trubin’s Late Heroics Set Up Rematch Between Benfica and Real Madrid

Benfica and Real Madrid played to a dramatic conclusion in the league phase of the Champions League, culminating in a victory for Benfica thanks to a goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. The result secured Benfica a spot in the playoff stage, and the draw has immediately set up a rematch against Real Madrid. The first leg of the playoff tie ended 1-0 in favor of the Spanish side.

First Leg Sets the Stage for Return Match

The return leg is scheduled for February 25 at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium, where the fate of both teams will be decided. The winner will advance to face either Manchester City or Sporting, with that pairing to be determined by a draw on February 27.

Match Recap: Benfica vs. Real Madrid

The initial contest saw a relatively quiet first half, with chances for both sides. Benfica’s Fredrik Aursnes had a notable opportunity in the 24th minute, forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois. Real Madrid too pressed for a goal, with attempts from Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Arda Guler, all thwarted by Benfica’s defense or goalkeeper Trubin.

The second half saw Real Madrid take the lead in the 50th minute through a goal by Vinicius Junior, assisted by Mbappe. However, the match was then marred by a 10-minute interruption due to allegations of racist insults directed at Benfica’s Gianluce Prestianni by Vinicius Junior. The referee, François Letexier, halted play, and the situation remains under investigation.

Mourinho Faces Sideline Ban

Adding to Benfica’s challenges, manager Jose Mourinho received two yellow cards during the match and will be forced to watch the return leg from the stands.

“It was something, I don’t know, unbelievable. It’s stuck in my mind, I sense, for all my life,” Trubin told CNN Sports.

CNN

Match Details

• Score: Benfica 0 – 1 Real Madrid
• Goalscorer: Vinicius Junior (50′, assisted by Mbappe)
• Stadium: Luz Stadium (Lisbon)
• Capacity: 68,100
• Referee: François Letexier
• Yellow Cards: Prestianni, Sudakov (Benfica); Vinicius Junior, Mbappe (Real Madrid)

Team Lineups

Benfica (4-2-3-1):

Trubin – Dedić, Araujo, Otamendi, Dahl – Aursnes, Barreiro – Prestianni, Rafa Silva, Schjelderup – Pavlidis. Coach: Jose Mourinho.

Real Madrid (4-3-3):

Courtois – Alexander-Arnold, Rüdiger, Huijsen, Carreras – Camavinga, Tchouameni, Valverde – Vinicius, Mbappe, Guler. Coach: Alvaro Arbeloa.

Looking Ahead

The second leg promises to be a fiercely contested affair. Benfica will need to overcome the away goal deficit and the absence of their manager to secure a place in the next round. The outcome will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment for both clubs in this Champions League campaign.

FAQ

• Who scored the winning goal for Real Madrid in the first leg? Vinicius Junior.
• Where will the return leg be played? At the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid.
• When is the return leg scheduled? February 25.

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