Guardiola to thank Mourinho after Benfica keeper’s late goal keeps Man City in CL last‑16

Pep Guardiola says he will send a thank-you message to Jose Mourinho after Benfica’s stoppage‑time goal helped Manchester City secure automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16. Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin headed a remarkable 98th‑minute goal at the Estadio da Luz, a strike that saw Benfica jump above Marseille and end any threat of a Real Madrid fightback that could have levelled and pushed City out of the top eight.

Guardiola, watching after City’s 2-0 win over Galatasaray, admitted nerves at the Etihad before Mourinho’s move paid off. He said: “We were all there so we didn't know Benfica needed a goal to qualify so when the goalkeeper goes up, we say, ‘why you go?’ because Madrid can equalise and we are out.

But it was a good strategy for Jose to score the fourth goal, right!” and added: “Yeah, of course.” The win over Galatasaray saw Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki on target, although City picked up an injury blow when Jeremy Doku suffered a calf problem. Guardiola noted City have reinforced in the January window with Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi and praised the squad’s progress while competing on four fronts.

Guardiola reflected on the challenge of the modern Champions League, saying: “Really pleased to finish in the top eight considering how the Champions League has become. When I started 16 or 17 years ago, the Champions League was another type of competition. Today every team is really, really tough.

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