Vincent Enyeama’s name resurfaced across Europe on a remarkable Champions League night after Real Madrid were beaten 4-2 by Benfica in the final round of the 2025-26 league phase, Soccernet.ng reports.
The former Super Eagles goalkeeper has been retired since 2020, yet his unique place in the competition’s history was brought back into focus by extraordinary scenes at the Estadio da Luz.
Madrid arrived in Lisbon knowing a draw would be enough to secure a direct ticket to the Round of 16.
They even made the perfect start when Kylian Mbappe put the Spanish giants in front in the 30th minute. Benfica, however, responded with spirit and precision. Goals from Andreas Schjelderup and Vangelis Pavlidis turned the game on its head and sent the hosts into the break with a 2-1 lead.
Schjelderup struck again shortly after the restart to extend Benfica’s advantage, before Mbappe completed his brace to reduce the deficit and set up a tense finale. The closing stages were loaded with consequence.
Madrid needed one more goal to level the match and push ahead of Manchester City in the top eight, while a 3-2 Benfica win would still not be enough for Jose Mourinho’s side to climb into the top 24 and secure a playoff place.
The contest tilted further when Madrid were reduced to nine men after Asencio and Rodrygo were sent off. Benfica sensed the moment and, urged on by Mourinho, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin went forward for one last free-kick. The 24-year-old Ukrainian delivered a stunning twist, rising to head home the fourth goal and ignite celebrations around the stadium.
5 – Benficas Anatoliy Trubin ist nach Jörg Butt (3), Sinan Bolat, Vincent Enyeama und Ivan Provedel (jeweils 1) der fünfte Torhüter, der in der UEFA Champions League ein Tor erzielt hat. Seltenheit. https://t.co/buT3QAzURz
— OptaFranz (@OptaFranz) January 28, 2026
That strike sent Benfica into the playoffs and etched Trubin’s name into Champions League history. He became only the fifth goalkeeper to score in the competition, and the first ever to do so against Real Madrid. The exclusive list includes Nigeria’s Enyeama, alongside Jörg Butt, Sinan Bolat and Ivan Provedel.
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Vincent Enyeama and a rare record
Enyeama’s own Champions League goal came in the 2010–11 season, when he converted a penalty for Hapoel Tel Aviv against Red Bull Salzburg.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest African goalkeepers of all time, he remains Africa’s highest-scoring goalkeeper with 20 goals, having been a regular penalty taker for Enyimba and Hapoel Tel Aviv.
On this night, however, the spotlight belonged to Mourinho and Benfica.
“A fantastic goal, a historic goal, a goal that nearly brought the whole stadium down – and I think it was very deserved for us,” Mourinho said via the BBC.
“For Benfica it's an incredible prestige to beat Real Madrid. To win against Real Madrid carries importance and is significant. In that moment we had to give it everything.”
Trubin himself struggled to take in what had happened.
“Before, I didn't understand what we needed,” he said. “I see everyone start to point at me and I go and after I see [I can go forward]. We need one more goal. I don't know, I don't know what to say. A crazy moment. I am not used to scoring, so for me it was something completely new. I am 24 years old and for me it's the first time.”
Both clubs now move into the playoffs, with Madrid finishing ninth and Benfica 24th.
Fittingly, Benfica could yet face either Real Madrid again or Inter Milan, the club with whom Mourinho won the Champions League as part of his famous treble in 2010.
