UCL MATCHDAY 8 MADNESS: We Predicted a Benfica Miracle Win! Plus Chelsea Breaks Napoli’s Home Record

If you read my UCL Matchday 8 Preview, you know we made a bold call. We explicitly tipped a “Benfica Miracle” against Real Madrid when the rest of the world expected an easy ride for Kylian Mbappé and Los Blancos.

Last night’s UEFA Champions League finale was arguably the most chaotic night of football we have witnessed in years. From Lisbon to Naples, records were shattered, giants fell, and goalkeepers became goalscorers. Here is the SportsBiz breakdown of a historic night.

The Benfica Miracle: A Goalkeeper’s Header & The Special One’s Revenge

In our preview, I wrote: “We are tipping the Eagles to clip Madrid’s wings in Lisbon… Benfica miraculously qualifying for the playoffs.”

Verdict: SPOT ON (and then some).

We predicted a 2-1 win. The reality? A mind-bending 4-2 victory for Benfica that sent shockwaves through Europe.

Real Madrid, who started the night comfortable in 3rd place, were stunned by José Mourinho’s side. Despite Mbappé grabbing a brace, Benfica fought back from a deficit with a tenacity that the Estádio da Luz hasn’t seen in years.

But the moment that will be replayed for decades came in the 97th minute. With Benfica needing one more goal to snatch the 24th and final playoff spot from Marseille on goal difference, goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin went up for a last-gasp corner.

You couldn’t write this script. Trubin rose highest to power a header past Thibaut Courtois, making it 4-2. The goal didn’t just qualify Benfica; it dragged Real Madrid down to 9th place, dumping the 15-time champions out of the automatic Round of 16 spots.

We called the miracle, but Trubin provided the divine intervention.

Chelsea Conquer Naples: The Fortress Has Fallen

While Lisbon was witnessing madness, my beloved Chelsea traveled to the hostile Diego Armando Maradona Stadium with a point to prove.

In the preview, I predicted: Napoli 1-3 Chelsea.

Actual Score: Napoli 2-3 Chelsea.

We were just one Napoli goal off a perfect scoreline prediction. But the narrative was even sweeter than the result.

This wasn’t just a win; it was an exorcism. Napoli came into this match protecting a formidable 25-game unbeaten home record (dating back to December 2024). They needed a win to survive. Chelsea, led by Liam Rosenior, needed a win to secure a Top 8 finish.

After Enzo Fernández’s early penalty, Napoli roared back to lead 2-1 at halftime through Vergara and Hojlund. The “Conte effect” seemed to be working against his former club. But the second half belonged to João Pedro. The Brazilian’s brace (61’, 83’) silenced Naples, broke their unbeaten streak, and officially eliminated Antonio Conte’s side from Europe.

Chelsea finishes 6th, avoiding the playoff shark tank. Napoli finishes 30th a disaster for the Italian champions.

The Aftermath

Matchday 8 lived up to the hype.

• Real Madrid are in the playoffs.
• Napoli are out.
• Benfica squeezed in by the finest of margins (thanks, Trubin!).
• Chelsea and Arsenal (who won 3-2 against Kairat) fly the flag high for the Premier League in the automatic spots.

We told you Wednesday night would be historic. Stay locked to sportsbiz.co.ke if you want to know what’s going to happen before the goalkeeper scores a header, you know where to find us.