PHOTO: AFP

Sixty-one goals, a table resembling a football stock market that never stood still, and drama at every turn -- capped by a goalkeeper rising for a final, telling touch to keep his team alive. That was the final day of the Champions League league phase, with 18 fixtures kicking off simultaneously across Europe.

When Benfica coach Jose Mourinho signalled goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin to go up for a free-kick deep into stoppage time, thousands of kilometres away at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola questioned: “Why you go?”

Guardiola, watching the Real Madrid vs Benfica match with his entire squad in the dressing room, was unaware that his old rival Mourinho needed one more goal to secure Benfica’s place in the playoffs. He only knew that a late Real Madrid goal would push City out of the top eight and end their hopes of direct qualification to the last 16.

Instead, Benfica emerged with a 4-2 win, the decisive goal coming from Trubin himself. The goalkeeper’s 98th-minute header also earned him a congratulatory hug from his opposite number, Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Trubin’s goal finally settled the Champions League standings, with Real Madrid dropping from third to ninth and forced into the playoffs. Benfica, meanwhile, edged out Marseille on goal difference to claim the final qualification spot and keep their campaign alive.