City’s fate hinged on the final stages of the match at the Estádio da Luz, where a late Real Madrid equaliser would have resulted in a 3–3 draw and pushed the Premier League champions out of the Champions League top eight. Such an outcome would have forced City into a two-legged knockout play-off in February.
Instead, Benfica sealed a stunning 4–2 win thanks to an extraordinary 98th-minute header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin. With the score at 3–2, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho made the bold decision to send Trubin forward for a late set piece, a gamble that paid off as the Ukrainian rose highest to score and secure qualification on goal difference.
The dramatic finish ensured Benfica advanced to the play-off round while City finished eighth in the league table, avoiding the additional knockout hurdle.
Guardiola admitted the moment Trubin left his goal caused alarm among City players and staff, who were following the action live after completing their own match.
“We were all there so we didn’t know Benfica needed a goal to qualify,” Guardiola explained. “So when the goalkeeper goes up, we say, ‘Why you go?’ because Madrid can equalise and we are out.”
He later acknowledged the tactical boldness behind the decision, adding: “But it was a good strategy for Jose to score the fourth goal, right!”
Asked whether he would be sending a message of thanks to Mourinho, Guardiola smiled and replied: “Yeah, of course.”
Earlier in the evening, City had taken care of business with a 2–0 win over Galatasaray, with Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki on target. Cherki was particularly influential, with Jérémy Doku providing the assists for both goals before being forced off with a calf injury.
While pleased with the result, Guardiola admitted there was room for improvement in City’s performance. “The first half was better than the second half,” he said.
The City manager expressed satisfaction at finishing in the top eight, noting how much tougher the Champions League has become over the years.
“When I started 16 or 17 years ago, the Champions League was another type of competition. Today every team is really, really tough,” Guardiola said.
Avoiding the play-off round, he added, could prove crucial to City’s hopes of progressing deep into the tournament.
“I’m really pleased we don’t play in the playoff stage and hopefully we can arrive in March [for the last 16] at our best.”