The top goalkeeper news stories from January 25th to February 1st 2026.
Header Image: Nottingham Forest
Trubin writes history in the Champions League
On Wednesday, Real Madrid travelled to Portugal to play Benfica in a do or die game for the Portuguese giants. Jose Mourinho’s men went 1-0 behind due to an Mbappe goal but bounced back well and were 3-1 up 25 minutes in. Mbappe reduced the deficit for Los Blancos in the 58th minute before Raul Ascensio and Rodrygo were sent off in additional time.
All the other 17 Champions League games had finished, and Benfica knew they needed one more goal to qualify to the next stage of the competition by the skin off their teeth. In the 98th minute Fredrik Aursnes whipped in a free kick towards Ukrainian goalkeeper, Anatoliy Trubin, who managed to head an effort into the back of the net.
The Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benfica erupted as Trubin ran into the centre of the pitch performing a knee slide as Mourinho celebrated another one of his historic moments with his staff. As a result of that goal, Benfica qualified for the play offs on goal difference. A truly, crazy Champions League moment.
Stefan Ortega signs for Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have officially signed German goalkeeper, Stefan Ortega, from Manchester City. The German goalkeeper played 56 games for the Citizens, and was part of the iconic treble winning squad. His most notable moment was a famous save to deny Heung Min Son and grant his side the Premier League title days later. Ortega has joined Forest to improve their goalkeeping options after John Victor suffered a long-term injury against Aston Villa.
Sunderland complete signing of Melker Elborg
Sunderland have just signed Swedish goalkeeper, Melker Ellborg, from Malmo, to improve Regis Le Bris’ options in between the sticks. The 22-year-old has been signed for an undisclosed fee and will provide squad depth to one of the highest performing keepers in the league this season, Robin Roefs.
Meanwhile, Anthony Patterson, who was instrumental in the Black Cats' rise to the top flight, has joined Millwall on loan until the end of the season.
Nick Pope denies Ballon d’or winner from the spot.
On Wednesday night, Newcastle United travelled to the French capital to face PSG in the final game of the League Phase. Within the first five minutes of the game, PSG were awarded a controversial penalty due to a handball reminiscent of one that was given in the same fixture, two years earlier.
Ousmane Dembele stepped up to take the spot kick but the Englishman in front of him, Nick Pope, denied the effort, sending the Geordies in the corner of the stadium wild. The game ultimately ended 1-1 meaning both sides qualified for play offs and marginally missed out on the automatic top 8 spot.
North London steals the Champions League show
After the Champions League initial League Phase finished on Wednesday night, it was confirmed that goalkeepers from North London clubs had enjoyed a phenomenal league phase campaign. David Raya, of Arsenal, only conceded two goals in seven games and Guglielmo Vicario kept the most clean sheets of any goalkeeper in the competition, with six in eight games. The Italian only conceded to Bodo Glimt and PSG away, a real contrast to the season his side are having domestically.
