Manchester City beat Galatasaray 2-0, whilst Benfica keeper Anatoliy Trubin scored in stoppage time to seal a 4-2 win over Real Madrid that kept City in the Champions League's top eight
Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City and Jose Mourinho, Manager of Manchester United embrace prior to the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United
Pep Guardiola has said he will thank Jose Mourinho after Benfica's heroics helped Manchester City in the Champions League(Image: (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images))
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Pep Guardiola has promised to express his gratitude to Jose Mourinho after his former adversary inadvertently helped Manchester City secure their place in the Champions League round of 16 and avoid a play-off tie.
City fulfilled their own requirements with a comfortable 2-0 victory over Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium, courtesy of strikes from Erling Haaland and Ryan Cherki. However, their position in the top eight remained uncertain, hinging on Real Madrid finding an equaliser against Benfica, which would have relegated Guardiola's side to the play-offs.
That was until Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin emerged as an unlikely hero, scoring a remarkable late goal to complete a 4-2 triumph for Mourinho's side. The strike proved decisive in keeping Benfica's campaign alive.
Guardiola revealed he and his squad were monitoring developments from the dressing room and were initially baffled by Mourinho's decision to send Trubin forward for a late set piece.
When questioned about whether he'd be reaching out to Mourinho with his appreciation, Guardiola responded: "Yeah, of course. We were all there (in the dressing room), and we didn't know Benfica need a goal to qualify.
"So when their goalkeeper goes up, we said, 'why you go'? But it was a good strategy for Jose. Finishing in the top eight, considering how the Champions League has become, every team is really really tough, so we are really pleased. Hopefully we can arrive in March in our best form."
Bernardo Silva acknowledged the significance of City avoiding two additional play-off fixtures, enhancing their prospects of maintaining their pursuit of four trophies. He said: "With a bit of drama, we did it. Overall we're very happy because we avoid two games.
"With the schedule, with the amount of injuries we have at the minute, to have those two full weeks to prepare the team, to recover some players, to focus on other competitions for now is going to be really good."
LISBON, PORTUGAL - JANUARY 28: Anatoliy Trubin of Benfica celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal with teammates during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between SL Benfica and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio do SL Benfica on January 28, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)(Image: (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images))
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Mourinho, who has lifted this trophy twice before, believed his team merited continuing their European journey. "A fantastic goal, a historic goal, a goal that nearly brought the whole stadium down - and I think it was very deserved for us," he said.
"For Benfica, it's an incredible prestige to beat Real Madrid."
The Champions League draw takes place on Friday afternoon, and that will be when Man City discover which side of the draw they will be on for the round of 16.
As it stands, Guardiola's side could have a tough task ahead of them, with the possibility of facing one of Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Bodo/Glimt, or the side that did them a favour, Benfica.
While that won't be the easiest of draws, regardless of who they face, Guardiola is boosted by a few extra midweeks without football, thanks to finishing in that top eight.
That should help ease the work load on his squad, which is looking thin after several injury concerns, while the Premier League title race heats up.