Benfica's dramatic 4-2 win over Real Madrid, sealed by goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin's late strike, underlines Benfica's attacking potency and defensive vulnerability; punters may favour Benfica in outright markets but target over 2.5 goals and Both Teams To Score in future elite ties, given the high-scoring pattern on display.
Mourinho tells ex-Roma centre-back he was "lucky" after Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid
José Mourinho reunited with former Roma loanee Dean Huijsen after Benfica's 4-2 Champions League victory over Real Madrid and did not spare the former player a blunt assessment. Mourinho told Huijsen he had been “lucky” to lose only 4-2, adding that the scoreline could easily have been worse — a cutting line that captured both the drama of the night and Benfica’s aggressive gameplan.
Last-gasp heroics: goalkeeper Trubin seals improbable qualification
Benfica needed a late goal to improve their goal difference and secure progression to the knock-out play-off, and they delivered in spectacular fashion. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin popped up from a set-piece routine to score in the dying moments, converting a desperate effort that sent Benfica through and left Real Madrid stunned.
How the game played out
The match was end-to-end, with both teams committing numbers forward and exposing defensive frailties. Benfica’s willingness to push for the decisive goal paid off dramatically, but the contest also exposed vulnerabilities that top opponents can exploit, explaining Mourinho’s suggestion that Real Madrid got off lightly.
Huijsen's pathway and Mourinho's connections
Dean Huijsen, acquired on loan by Roma from Juventus in January 2024, made only three appearances before Mourinho's departure from the club. The post-match exchange underlined the personal links Mourinho retains across Europe and highlighted how past relationships can resurface on the biggest stages.
Implications for the Champions League draw and betting markets
Benfica’s late qualification sets up a high-stakes play-off scenario in which they could face heavyweights and familiar rivals.
For punters, the match reinforces the appeal of backing Benfica in outright or single-match markets when they need a result, while also suggesting strong value in over 2.5 goals and Both Teams To Score markets when Benfica face top-tier opposition given their propensity for high-scoring affairs.
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