From Pandemic Debut to Champions League Hero: Trubin's Madrid Connection
Anatoli Trubin's stunning goal against Real Madrid is just the latest chapter in a remarkable history between the Ukrainian goalkeeper and Los Blancos.
The Ukrainian shot-stopper who stunned the Bernabéu faithful with a dramatic late header has a longer history with Real Madrid than most realize – and it’s absolutely fascinating.
Pandemic Debut Against the Giants
Trubin’s Champions League story began against none other than Real Madrid during the height of the pandemic. On October 21, 2020, with Shakhtar’s veteran keeper Pyatov sidelined by a positive COVID test, a 19-year-old Trubin was thrust into the spotlight at Valdebebas.
Wearing the number 81, the teenage keeper became an instant hero as Shakhtar shocked Madrid with a 3-0 first-half lead. Though Los Blancos mounted a comeback through Modric and Vinicius, Trubin stood firm to secure a historic 3-2 victory.
Lightning struck twice that season when Trubin kept a clean sheet in Shakhtar’s 2-0 win over Madrid in Kiev on December 1st – a night that effectively ended Martin Ødegaard’s Real Madrid career under Zidane.
Blood, War and Heartbreak
Perhaps the most dramatic chapter came on October 11, 2022. Playing in Warsaw due to the Russian invasion, Trubin’s Shakhtar were seconds away from another famous victory over Madrid when:
- Toni Kroos delivered a perfect free-kick
- Rüdiger met it with a thunderous header to equalize
- Both players collided violently, leaving the German defender bloodied
That match played out against the devastating backdrop of war in Ukraine. Trubin spoke powerfully about the conflict at the time, saying his country’s wounds “would take a long time to heal” – making his recent goal against Madrid all the more poignant.
National Rivalry with Lunin
Trubin’s connection to Madrid extends to international football too. The Benfica keeper has established himself as Ukraine’s number one ahead of Real Madrid’s own Andriy Lunin.
Ukraine’s World Cup qualification hopes now rest primarily on Trubin’s shoulders, with manager Sergiy Rebrov consistently selecting him over Lunin. The Madrid keeper’s stock fell after Courtois’ return from injury, and a controversial withdrawal from international duty last September hasn’t helped his cause in the national team setup.
Trubin’s overall record against Madrid now stands at three wins, three losses and one draw – with his latest goal at the Bernabéu writing another unforgettable chapter in this remarkable connection.