Jose Mourinho left stunned by last-gasp goal from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin against Real Madrid - 'The big guy is capable of this!'

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Jose Mourinho hailed his heroic goalkeeper as Benfica snatched a UEFA Champions League play-off spot with a dramatic late header. Anatoliy Trubin made history by becoming the fifth goalkeeper to score in the competition, which saved Benfica in the most remarkable circumstances. Once things had settled after the game, Mourinho gave his thoughts following the victory over Real Madrid.

'The big guy is capable' - Mourinho on dramatic goal from Benfica goalkeeper

Video credit: TNT Sports

Jose Mourinho was almost lost for words when speaking about his goalkeeper's "amazing" goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League.

With Benfica already leading nine-man Madrid 3-2 but needing a goal to snatch a play-off place, Anatoliy Trubin scored a dramatic header in the eighth minute of stoppage time.

"I used to say, for me, everything is déjà vu, but this one is the first time," laughed Mourinho after the match, almost in disbelief.

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But was it a complete stroke of luck? Or was it another masterstroke tactic Mourinho had up his sleeve?

"We knew that he could do it, we knew that he could do it," he insisted.

"We were losing in Porto a couple of weeks ago and in the last minute he went there and almost scored. So we know the big guy is capable of this.

"The quality of the service is, of course, the most important thing, you have to put the ball there, but it’s an amazing goal for the guy."

Watch: Benfica GK scores DRAMATIC header against Real to send Mourinho wild

Video credit: TNT Sports

Mourinho also admitted that the game, at that point, was effectively out of his hands, as he made his final substitutions under the assumption that his side were safely through to the play-offs.

"When I made the changes, the last changes, [Franjo] Ivanovic and Antonio Silva [in the third minute of stoppage time], I was told it’s enough, so let’s close the door," he explained.

But such was the chaos of Matchday 8, with Benfica's fate also hinging on results elsewhere, word filtered through that they needed another goal.

"When I make the changes, a few seconds later, they tell me we need one more goal. But I cannot make more changes," Mourinho continued.

"So that was the lucky point, to get a free-kick to allow us to go there with the big guy."

He added: "We were winning 3-2, in that moment we were playing with one player more, so we have the game in the pocket. I just want to close the door and I think it's enough. I have no idea of what is going on.

"When I was told we needed one more goal, honestly I was upset. I was thinking, 'Why was I not told a few seconds before?'

"But then we kept the pride because that was my challenge to the players before the game: 'If we don't qualify, we have to win - if we don't qualify, we don't qualify, but we have to win.'

"That was the pride behind the attitude. I would be happy the same, winning the way we did against Real Madrid and being out. I would be happy the same."

'The Mourinho factor'

The carnage at Estadio da Luz sent the TNT Sports Goals Show Extra team into a frenzy, with Steven Gerrard and Ally McCoist among the pundits left speechless.

"I couldn't believe it. I'm thinking to myself, it just felt like something was in the air," McCoist said.

"It was amazing, it was amazing. What a climax to the night!"

He added: "We were all watching it, and we anticipated that something was going to happen. You just had a feeling. With the Mourinho factor, the whole thing is remarkable."

Gerrard admitted he even needed a lie down.

"He’s [Mourinho's] still got plenty left, he’ll have loved that tonight against his old team. But he deserved it, probably the performance of the night and certainly the best ending.

"I mean, I need a lie down after that. Absolute scenes in here!"

‘Absolute scenes in here’ – Gerrard, McCoist react to ‘remarkable’ finale at Benfica

Video credit: TNT Sports

Even Pep Guardiola commented on the goal, as the Benfica strike ensured Manchester City secured a top-eight spot.

"Well, we were all there [in the changing room after beating Galatasaray]," he explained when asked about Man City's reaction to the late drama.

"We didn't know Benfica needed a goal to qualify. That's why we say to the keeper, 'Why you go [up for the free-kick]? Stay in the goal or Madrid could equalise, and then we are out!

"It was a good strategy from Jose, right?"

The last-gasp goal sent Benfica through to the knockout play-offs by a single goal, knocking Marseille out of the top 24 in the cruellest of fashion.

As a result, they could meet two of Mourinho’s former clubs, Inter or another clash against Madrid for a place in the last 16.

As for Los Blancos, if they do not face Mourinho's side, they will take on Bodo/Glimt, who have recently beaten Man City.

And that could lead to another blockbuster between Man City and Real Madrid in the last 16 - where they faced in the play-off last season - should Alvaro Arbeloa's side progress.

Highlights: Epic goalkeeper goal sends Benfica to play-offs as Real drop out of top-eight

Video credit: TNT Sports

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