Article by Romeo Ene – Published Thursday, January 29, 2026, 12:12 / Updated Thursday, January 29, 2026 12:12
The irony of fate at the end of the game between Club Brugge and Marseille, in the last stage of the main group of the Champions League. The Belgians won easily, 3-0, and finished in 19th place, enough to qualify for the play-off for the “eighties”.
When “central” Marco Guida put an end to the match, both teams were qualified in this phase of the competition. Only a few minutes later, Marseille was OUT, after goalkeeper Trubin scored the 4th goal for Benfica against Real Madrid.
PHOTO. Bizarre blunder in the Champions League! They congratulated them for qualifying even though they were OUT
At the end of the match, Marseille was in 24th place, the last one to qualify for the play-offs.
As a mark of respect and fair play, the Belgians from Brugge congratulated their opponents on qualification with a message on the scoreboard in French: “Congratulations on qualification, Marseille”.
Bizarre blunder in the Champions League! They congratulated them for qualifying, even though they were OUT // PHOTO: X
However, the moment happened before the end of the match between Benfica and Real Madrid. Little did Club Brugge know that the Portuguese side needed one more goal to overcome Marseille, which they did.
Benfica were 3-2 and level on points with Marseille, as well as on goal difference. The club from France had scored more goals, which is why it was higher in the ranking.
Trubin scored in the last phase (90+8') for Benfica, when Marseille was eliminated. They needed the score to remain 3-2 for Benfica or they would only have lost 0-2.
Benfica finished in 24th place, the last one to qualify for the play-offs, with 9 points after 8 matches. On the other side, Marseille finishes 25th with 9 points and continues to fight for domestic goals.
Final classification in the main group of the Champions League
