Thibaut Courtois' Full-Time Gesture to Benfica Goalkeeper Speaks Volumes

Thibaut Courtois made a beeline for Anatoliy Trubin after the Benfica goalkeeper scored a 98th-minute header to send Jose Mourinho's side into the Champions League play-offs.

With seconds remaining at the Estadio da Luz, it looked like Benfica's Champions League campaign was all but over - despite their slender 3-2 lead over Real Madrid.

Marseille were on course to secure a play-off spot thanks to their superior goal difference. In fact, Club Brugge congratulated their Ligue 1 opponents on qualifying by displaying a message on their stadium scoreboard.

But against all odds, Marseille missed out after Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored a 98th-minute header to secure the 24th and final play-off spot.

Trubin was surrounded by his teammates in the aftermath of Wednesday's game as they celebrated reaching Friday's draw. "For Ukraine," said Trubin after the final whistle. "For those who know how to fight till the end."

Such was his remarkable efforts on the night, Trubin was congratulated by a smiling Thibaut Courtois, who could be seen embracing his fellow goalkeeper at the full-time whistle, as seen in the clip below.

Here's how fans reacted to Courtois' gesture.

One said: "Even Courtois is smiling at what Trubin just did," and a second commented: "Courtois walking over to congratulate Trubin after conceding in the very last second. No frustration, no excuses, just respect."

A third wrote: "Imagine being a goalkeeper, scoring a last-minute winner against Real Madrid, and then getting a 'well done' from Thibaut Courtois himself."

A fourth said: "One of the classiest moments you’ll ever see in the Champions League. Pure respect," and a fifth added: "Great sportsmanship between Real Madrid's Courtois and Benfica's Trubin."

Courtois congratulating Turbin after his goal
Things you love to see🥹❤️ pic.twitter.com/Ko2qac5D60

— shveteshh (@shveteshh) January 28, 2026

Jose Mourinho reveals conversation with Dean Huijsen after Trubin goal

After the full-time whistle, Mourinho bumped into Huijsen in the Estadio da Luz tunnel and summed up the game perfectly, saying: "F****** hell."

"Dean, he was my player in Roma, he's friends with my kids, the families, they know each other well so I have a good relationship with Dean," Mourinho told reporters in his post-match media duties.

"Just speaking about the game and of course the kid is disappointed, but I was telling him, you are lucky to lose only 4-2 because it could have been more."