Champions League Shocker: Benfica Advances, Barcelona Secures Last-16 Spot
In a dramatic night of Champions League action, Benfica secured a playoff spot with a stunning 4-2 victory over Real Madrid, while Barcelona clinched a direct spot in the last 16 with a dominant win against Copenhagen. The results, which unfolded on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, sent shockwaves through the competition.
Benfica's improbable win over Real Madrid was sealed with a 98th-minute header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, according to Al Jazeera. The goal secured Benfica's place in the playoff round on goal difference, denying Real Madrid an automatic spot in the last 16. Jose Mourinho, Benfica's head coach, was seen celebrating the victory at the end of the match.
Meanwhile, Barcelona stormed back in the second half to defeat Copenhagen 4-1 at Camp Nou, securing their place in the top eight and direct qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League, Al Jazeera reported. Goals from Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Marcus Rashford ensured the Catalans finished fifth in the standings with 16 points, level with Manchester City, Chelsea, and Sporting, but ahead on goal difference. Raphinha was seen celebrating his goal during the match.
In other news, Tyson Fury has announced his return to boxing after retiring a year ago following successive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk. According to Sky News, the 37-year-old heavyweight boxer is set for a comeback fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov on April 11 in the UK. Fury plans to fight three times this year and has been training in Thailand ahead of his return. The fight will be screened on Netflix.
Turkish authorities have detained six people suspected of spying for Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Euronews reported. The suspects allegedly monitored military facilities and other strategic sites across the country. Security forces carried out simultaneous raids in five provinces, including Istanbul and Ankara, following a joint investigation by the counter-terror department and Turkey's intelligence agency. The suspects, including an Iranian citizen, allegedly conducted the espionage activities. The arrests come amid heightened regional tensions over fears of a possible US military strike on Iran.
Israel's Supreme Court has postponed a decision on whether to allow foreign journalists independent access to Gaza, Al Jazeera reported. The court granted the government until March 31 to respond to a petition filed by the Foreign Press Association, despite state attorneys failing to provide detailed justifications beyond citing security risks. The legal battle has stretched over a year.
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