Real Madrid were stunningly dumped into the qualifying playoffs of the Champions League by their former coach Jose Mourinho -- whose Benfica team advanced on a last-gasp goal by its goalkeeper -- on Wednesday and will be joined there by defending champion Paris Saint-Germain.
Madrid started play third in the 36-team standings and despite two goals by Kylian Mbappé lost 4-2 at Benfica and fell to ninth -- one place below advancing directly to the round of 16.
Astonishingly, Benfica advanced to the knockout phase in 24th place only on goal difference because Ukrainian goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in the eighth minute of stoppage time with a dramatic header when Madrid were down to nine players. Red cards were shown minutes earlier for Raúl Asencio and Rodrygo.
"This victory is historic and important," said Mourinho, who then praised his goalkeeper. "We knew that he could do it. You have to put the ball there, but it's an amazing goal for the guy."
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