Benfica Secures Champions League Knockout Spot with Dramatic Win Over Real Madrid

Benfica's Champions League Success

According to Главком: Benfica, the Portuguese club, secured a dramatic 4-2 victory over Spain's Real Madrid on January 28, 2026, in the final group stage match of the UEFA Champions League. The win, which kicked off at 22:00, was sealed in the 98th minute by an extraordinary goal from Benfica's goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, propelling his team into the tournament's playoff round. This match was the eighth and final fixture of the group phase, determining which teams advanced to the knockout stages.

Ukrainian Players Across European Clubs

Four teams featuring Ukrainian footballers competed in this final round of group matches:

• Benfica (Anatoliy Trubin, Heorhiy Sudakov)
• Qarabag (Oleksiy Kashchuk)
• Real Madrid (Andriy Lunin)
• Paris Saint-Germain (Illia Zabarnyi)

In other concurrent matches, Qarabag suffered a heavy 0-6 defeat to Liverpool, while Paris Saint-Germain drew 1-1 with Newcastle. Notably, Roman Yaremchuk did not play for Olympiacos in their final match due to a potential transfer to a French club.

This crucial result means Benfica progresses to the Champions League playoffs, while Real Madrid, eliminated from the top eight, will now compete in the 1/16 finals. The first legs of the 1/16 finals are scheduled for February 17-18, 2026, with the return fixtures a week later. The Champions League format ensures only the top-performing teams from the group stage continue their quest for the trophy.

Benfica's triumph over Real Madrid signals the growing strength of the Portuguese side on the European stage. Qualifying for the Champions League knockout phase is a significant achievement that can elevate the club's profile and that of its players.

Author: Sports Analyst

Conversely, Real Madrid's defeat may prompt a strategic review for future campaigns, as the club traditionally sets its sights on the highest honors in European competition.