European football witnessed an unprecedented climax to the Champions League’s revolutionary new format Wednesday night as Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin’s 98th-minute header against Real Madrid created seismic shifts in the knockout stage qualifications. The astonishing goal not only secured Benfica’s 4-2 victory but propelled the Portuguese side into the playoff round while simultaneously eliminating Marseille and jeopardizing Manchester City’s direct advancement.
The redesigned 36-team league phase, implemented this season to replace traditional groups, delivered its promised drama through simultaneous final matchday fixtures that kept multiple clubs in perpetual suspense. At Etihad Stadium, Manchester City supporters monitored their phones anxiously, aware that a late Madrid equalizer would have demoted them from the top eight into the playoff qualification scramble.
Real Madrid experienced their own dramatic downfall, tumbling from third position out of direct qualification after Sporting CP secured a stoppage-time 3-2 victory at Athletic Bilbao. The Spanish giants now face the playoff route despite their storied European pedigree.
The new structure’s emphasis on sustained competitiveness was validated through 61 goals scored across 18 simultaneously played matches, creating what UEFA Deputy Secretary General Giorgio Marchetti described as ‘a massive climax when stakes are at their highest.’ The format ensures meaningful matches throughout the phase, eliminating the dead rubbers that plagued the previous group stage system.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola expressed admiration for the revamped competition, noting: ‘I like the new format. I don’t like that there’s more games but I like it, every game is like a final.’ Guardiola revealed he planned to thank Benfica manager José Mourinho for the strategic decision to send goalkeeper Trubin forward in the dying moments.
UEFA officials highlighted the increased equity and inclusion afforded to clubs from smaller nations, creating a more dynamic and diverse competition. The sixteen qualified teams will discover their playoff opponents during Friday’s draw, setting the stage for the next chapter in this transformed European landscape.